Vitamin D

Long the forgotten Vitamin, D is making news.

Firstly an introduction. Vitamin D is a fat soluble Vitamin that is quite rare in food. This makes it hard for our bodies to come by.

D is renowned for it’s role in calcium absorption. It is vital for bone strength and growth for people of all people.
Together with calcium, it also helps protect older adults from osteoporosis.

Sources.
•    Cod Liver Oil. Tastes yuck but has the highest levels of any food.
•    Naturally in food. The flesh of fish (some of the more common include salmon, tuna, and mackerel) and fish liver oils are a good source. So are mushrooms. Beef, liver, cheese and eggs have small levels of D.
•    Fortified or added D. Some cereals, orange juice, yogurt and margarine are fortified with D and other Vitamins Minerals.
•    Exposure to the sun. This is where most people get the Nutrition of Vitamin D.

Are you missing your D?
•    With the success of sun cream usage to lessen sun damage and premature aging, many people are missing their daily dose. Also people in colder climes are more susceptible to lacking D.
•    D deficient diets are mostly associated with lactose intolerance, milk allergies, and strict vegetarianism.  Hint: Vegetarians should eat more mushrooms and try a supplement. Either those or get out in the sun a bit more often.

Risks of a sustained lack in D.
The number 1 risk is Osteoporosis. Over 25 million Americans have or at risk of suffering from this disease.
There is also some evidence that deficiency in Vitamins such as D have an effect on cancer risk.
There is a growing body of research evidence that D has a positive role to play in the treatment and prevention of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.

I trust this article has helped you understand  Vitamin D a little more and its role in Nutrition.

Enjoy!