Did you know that… Vitamin D (Vit D) improves both physical and mental health?
Allow me to share with you some facts published in the National Library of Medicine.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which is produced when ultraviolet rays (UVB rays) from sunlight, strike the skin and trigger the synthesis of Vit D from cholesterol.
Vit D helps
- the body to absorb calcium (which is needed for building bones and teeth)
- reduce inflammation
- genes, which control cell production, differentiation, and apoptosis (cell self-destruction).
Vit D is also involved in cell growth, nerve, muscle and immune function.
Vit D deficiency in children leads to soft, thin, brittle bodies called rickets, which cause the bones to bend.
Vit D deficiency in adults causes bone pain and muscle weakness and is called osteomalacia
.
With ageing, men and in particular women, are at risk of developing osteoporosis, where bones become fragile and may fracture if one falls. Osteoporosis is a result of long-term deficiencies in both Calcium and Vit D.
According to a review published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, the researchers found that low vitamin D concentration is associated with depression.
As you can see, Vit D is very important for both physical and mental health.
Let me share with you where to get Vit D from...
Natural sources:
- Sunshine (20 minutes per day)
Plant sources:
- Mushrooms
Animal sources:
- Fatty fish e.g. salmon, tuna, mackerel, swordfish, sardines,
- Cod liver oil,
- Beef liver
- Cheese
- Egg yolks
And, vitamin D supplements.