Vitamin D facts - health benefits of Vitamin D

Knowing these Vitamin D facts make us aware of the importance of natural sunshine and/or using some good Vitamin D supplements.

Without an adequate amount, our immune system weakens, creating fertile territory for any disease, including skin cancer. A Vitamin D deficiency can also lead to osteoporosis, prostrate cancer, breast cancer, and it even affects diabetes and obesity.

Having had stage 3 skin cancer, 20 years ago, I’ve been quite aware of all we are told about the dangers of the sun.

Unfortunately, not much emphasis is put on the health benefits of Vitamin D from the sun.

Natural sunshine remains our best source.

When deprived of sufficient sunshine then we must be sure to be supplementing with a good whole food source of Vitamin D.

Vitamin D Facts

Our body produces Vitamin D when our skin is exposed to the rays of natural sunlight.

The beneficial rays of natural sunlight cannot penetrate glass. In our home or in a car, we cannot receive the beneficial Vitamin D.

It is very difficult to receive adequate amounts of Vitamin D from our diet. Sunlight is the most reliable way.

It would take at least ten large glasses of Vitamin D fortified milk daily just to get a very minimum level of supply.

The further you live from the equator, the longer sun exposure is needed to generate Vitamin D. Canada, the UK and most US states are far from the equator.

If you have dark pigmented skin you may need 20 to 30 times as much exposure as fair skinned people to generate the same amount of Vitamin D. Because of this sunlight deficiency, prostrate cancer is prevalent among black men.

A sufficient level of Vitamin D is necessary for absorption of calcium in your intestines. A deficiency of this vitamin renders calcium supplements useless.

A chronic deficiency of Vitamin D takes months of supplementation and sunlight exposure to reverse and rebuild your bones and nervous system.

One of the Vitamin D facts that most people wouldn’t suspect is that overuse of sunscreen blocks your body’s ability to generate Vitamin D by 95%. This can create a deficiency and actually cause disease. Note that I said “overuse of sunscreen”, as sunscreen and protective clothing are necessary beyond a certain amount of exposure.

It is impossible to generate too much Vitamin D into your body from exposure to the sun. Your body will naturally only generate what it needs. A word of caution is that after this point you are overexposing yourself to the UV rays and this is when damage occurs on your skin.
See “sunscreen facts” for more information on this.

Press on your sternum firmly and if it hurts, you may be suffering from a chronic Vitamin D deficiency right now.

Before your body can use Vitamin D it is activated by your kidneys and liver.

If you have kidney disease or liver damage, the ability of your body to activate Vitamin D may be greatly impaired.

Vitamin D from natural sunlight is one of the most healing influences in your body and it is absolutely free. Again, if you’re unable to obtain enough sunlight exposure, do take a good quality Vitamin D supplement along with any other vitamin/mineral supplements you may need. Any qualified holistic doctor could help to determine any deficiencies in your body.

Knowing these Vitamin D facts early on in life and carrying them throughout your lifetime would be a wise decision for anyone to lead a healthy life.

Relalated Links to Vitamin D Facts

Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms
Vitamin D Foods
Causes of Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D Dosage
Vitamin D Overdose Symptoms
Vitamin D Sunlight

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