The Health Benefits of Vitamin D

Posted on November 26th, 2007 by admin

Numerous studies have shown that Vitamin D has great benefits to human’s health. It has been called a “wonder” drug for protection against the world’s three leading diseases - cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

But that’s not all. Vitamin D also has other health benefits such as reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke, lower bad cholesterol and help to maintain healthy blood pressure levels. This “wonder” drug also helps the pancreas to function better, while increasing the body’s sensitivity to insulin. Vitamin D is deemed to be a godsend for diabetics, it can even prevent diabetes in the first place. Vitamin D can also supercharge your immune system and boost your defenses against germs, bacteria and infectious disease.

Fortified foods are the major dietary sources of vitamin D. Milk in the United States is fortified with 10 micrograms (400 IU) of vitamin D per quart. Other sources of vitamin D include fatty fish and fish oils, cod liver oil, salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, cereals, egg and cheese.
However, exposing yourself to sunlight is the most important source of vitamin D because sunlight is very effective in providing you with your vitamin D requirement than foods and it’s also considered to be the best natural source of vitamin D. Consider taking vitamin D supplement if exposure to sunlight isn’t an option for you.

Watch the video below to understand how Vitamin D works in our body and the many health benefits it provides.