Everything You Need To Know About Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an important steroid hormone which helps the body in numerous ways. While we don't know everything about Vitamin D yet, we do know that it helps to aid the body in regulation of calcium and phosphorous levels, as well as help the mineralization process which takes place in our bones. We are just beginning to understand how Vitamin D affects all of our body's cells, as Vitamin D receptors have been found in many different types of human cells.
Vitamin D is actually a group of different steroid hormones, including D3 and D2. D2 is known as ergosterol and can be found in various plants. D3's chemical name is cholecalciferol and it is produced in the skin of animals when light is absorbed by a certain molecule. For this reason, Vitamin D is not a "true" vitamin, given that you can obtain it through sunlight. You can get additional Vitamin D from numerous dietary sources, including the yolks of eggs, fish oil, and several species of plants.
When Vitamin D is found in the forms D2 or D3, it does not perform too many processes. It needs to be metabolized inside the body to become hormonally active. This process is performed in the kidney, allowing Vitamin D to be utilized by the body.
One of the most important things that Vitamin D does for your body is facilitating bone growth. Many studies have shown that Vitamin D helps to balance phosphorous and calcium levels in bones, leading to proper mineralization. Since most cells in the body have been found to carry Vitamin D receptors, these steroid hormones may have profound effects on the body that we do not yet understand. A lack of Vitamin D has been determined to be a leading cause of rickets, which results in bone deformities. Osteoporosis may occur in adults who lack Vitamin D, as bone mineralization may be impaired.
The main reasons for people to develop a Vitamin D deficiency include a lack of sunlight, disease of the liver or kidneys, or genetic defect. A lack of sunlight causes D3 production to halt. Sunscreens of SPF 8 and above are known to block the body from successfully processing Vitamin D. Disease of the liver or kidney can stop the body from effectively processing the Vitamin D into the compound our bodies use. Genetic defects have been found where Vitamin D receptors on cells are improperly formed, leading to deficiency.
Luckily, in most industrialized countries, foods are fortified with Vitamin D. This can help to prevent Vitamin D deficiencies for those such as the elderly who can't make it outside very often. Vitamin D is often fortified into milk, cheese, butter, and cream, as well as cereals, allowing you ample opportunity to get Vitamin D without taking daily vitamins. Now that you know more about this important steroid hormone, you can see exactly what you need to do to ensure that your bones will grow properly with the best levels of mineralization. A diet rich in Vitamin D pays off in ways your body will thank you for.
