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Vitamin D improves both physical and mental health!

· health,Lifestyle

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.