According to the National Institute of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements, vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that does not occur naturally in many foods. Vitamin D is often added to foods and is also available in supplement form. The body is able to make vitamin D itself when the skin is exposed to the ultraviolet rays of sunlight. While excessive exposure to sun can be dangerous, a little can actually be beneficial. Vitamin D plays multiple roles in the human body.
Vitamin D Necessary for Calcium Absorption
Without vitamin D, the body is unable to properly absorb calcium within the gut. Vitamin D and calcium are partners in helping to keep bones strong and healthy, and needed by children to ensure bones grow properly.
Vitamin D Reduces the Risk of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones of the body become weak and thin and that causes bones to break easily. Not having enough vitamin D in the body can contribute to the development of osteoporosis because a lack of vitamin D means less calcium absorption.
Reducing Risk of Certain Cancers with Adequate Vitamin D Intake
Adequate amounts of vitamin D in the body may reduce the risk of an individual developing colon cancer. Vitamin D appears to have a protective characteristic in regards to the cancer. It is also suspected vitamin D can reduce the risk of an individual developing prostate or breast cancers.
Other Benefits of Vitamin D
Although it has not been completely proven, the Office of Dietary Supplements states that studies suggest vitamin D may help prevent certain medical conditions in addition to colon cancer. These conditions include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, problems tolerating glucose, and even multiple sclerosis.
Risk of Having Too Much Vitamin D
While there are benefits to having adequate amounts of vitamin D in the body, too much can be toxic. Mild symptoms of having too much vitamin D include nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and feeling weak. More serious symptoms include mental confusion and irregular heartbeat because too much vitamin D can also raise calcium levels too high. Kidney stones which consist of hardened calcium rocks can also be caused by too much vitamin D in the body.
While vitamin D is indeed important for the proper functioning of the human body, supplementing with over-the-counter pills may not be necessary unless advised by a physician. A healthy diet with plenty of vitamin D enriched foods such as milk and yogurt, and short term exposure to sunshine on a regular basis will usually provide an adequate amount of vitamin D.
Reference:
National Institute of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements
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