What’s The Story With Vitamin D?

You’ve probably heard of Vitamin D.

Most likely you`ve heard variations of information on how being in the sun can be helpful for you and improve your mood.

Or that eating foods fortified with it can help provide your body with this important vitamin.

You might have known some of this, but did you know the story behind this key vitamin?

Continue reading to find out more about vitamin D and how it can serve as a naturopathic solution for better mental health as well as many other health concerns.

What Is Vitamin D?

Some people refer to vitamin D as “the sunshine vitamin.”

Yes, it is true that we get vitamin D (cholecalciferol) from sun exposure, however, we also obtain it from the foods that we eat.

While we call it a vitamin, it is a steroid hormone that is helpful in preventing vitamin D deficiency symptoms.

If you are deficient in this nutrient, then you could be at risk for developing health issues such as bone loss, lowered immune system, and diabetes.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that dissolves in our bodies fats and oils and is stored in your liver as well as fatty tissues for long periods.

There are 2 dietary types of vitamin D:

Vitamin D2, also known as ergocalciferol, comes from plants, mushrooms, and yeasts.

Vitamin D3, on the other hand, or cholecalciferol, comes from animal products such as fatty fish, beef liver or egg yolks

Of these 2 forms of vitamin D, D3 is more effective at increasing vitamin D levels in your blood.

As a result, if you’re taking a vitamin D supplement, you’re probably taking D3.

How Does Your Body Make Vitamin D?

We obtain our vitamin D through sunlight exposure, dietary means, and through supplementation.

When our skin is exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays the skin can make its own vitamin D by stimulating its production from the cholesterol in your skin through vitamin D receptor cells.

After you absorb vitamin D through the skin or ingest it, it then gets stored in your body’s fat cells where it remains inactive until your body needs it and goes through the process of hydroxylation.

Why Is Vitamin D Important?

So, why is vitamin D so important to our overall health?

There is a myriad of health issues that are associated with vitamin D deficiency such as:
• Poor bone health or bone diseases such as Rickets or osteoporosis
• Cancer
• Diabetes and insulin resistance
• Low immune system – increase in flu risk

It helps to regulate your body’s calcium and phosphorus levels– both which are 2 minerals that are needed for bone health – and promotes their absorption.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the reasons why vitamin D is so good for you.

1. It’s Good for Your Immune System

There is evidence to support the rise in flu in late fall and during the winter coincides with drops in vitamin D levels.

Vitamin D may help in protecting against developing autoimmune conditions by helping with healthy cell replication.

A study in 2012, Vitamin D and the Immune System says that the function of vitamin D goes beyond bone health, and that cells of the immune system are able to synthesize and respond to vitamin D.

More reason to ensure you have an adequate intake of vitamin D and give your immune system a boost.

2. It Can Help with Mental Health

Do you get the blues when you’ve been inside for prolonged periods of time, or in the depths of a long and cold winter?

When you have a vitamin D deficiency, it can affect your brain function leading to increased risk for mood disorders and seasonal affective disorder .

As well, having low levels of vitamin D can interfere with the production of testosterone and estrogen which can cause hormonal imbalances.

Vitamin D can facilitate hormone regulation and help to improve our mood.

In an article Vitamin D and Depression they stated that effective detection and treating the vitamin D levels in people with depression or other mental health conditions could improve patients’ health outcomes and their quality of life.

3. It May Play A Role in Weight Loss

For people who are overweight, there is a higher risk that they could be vitamin D deficient.

This is because your daily requirement is dependent on your body size.

There is research that shows a correlation between obesity and having lower levels of vitamin D.

Furthermore, research shows certain enzymes are needed to turn vitamin D into a form that your body can use, and these enzymes are lower in people who are obese.

As well, a study concluded that women who were well supplied with vitamin D experienced greater improvements and showed that the higher level of D was associated with more weight loss.

4. It May Reduce Risk Of Cancer

There has been shown to be a role of vitamin D in cancer prevention. and that low vitamin D levels might account for several thousand premature deaths from different types of cancers.

Essentially, it is highly important that you should make sure to have an adequate intake of vitamin D to help reduce your risk of cancer.

5. It Can Help with Bone Health

Without vitamin D, our bodies would not be able to adequately absorb calcium which is important for our bone health.

Not only does it help to build strong bones, but it also aids in improving your muscle function, therefore, decreasing your risk of falls and improving your balance.

In a cross-sectional descriptive study. they found that there was a strong association between lower bone density and lower levels of vitamin D.

Live in Canada? You’re Likely Vitamin D Deficient

Canadians experience the 4 seasons, where the sun shines brightly and for longer hours in the summer, but in the winter, Canadians experience shorter days, cover-up more and tend to be indoor more.

According to Statistics Canada 32% of Canadians had blood levels lower than 50 nmol\L, where some could be at risk of poor bone health and this also includes the 10% who were vitamin D deficient.

So, if you live Canada, you might want to make sure you get as much vitamin D as you can.

Side Effects of Supplementing With Vitamin D

Although it is rare, excessive amounts of vitamin D in your body can lead to hypercalcemia which is high levels of calcium in the blood.

If you’re a shorter or thinner person, you generally have less fatty tissue to store vitamin D.

This means the excess vitamin goes into your bloodstream, causing you to absorb too much calcium.

Vitamin D toxicity can lead to serious issues like kidney stones, cognitive issues, extreme thirst, fatigue, and abnormal heart rhythm.

Book an Appointment With Dr Sheila

Now you know the story behind vitamin D.

Have you been feeling fatigued, with low energy?

Do you need help finding the best natural solutions for you?

Contact me, Dr. Sheila, a naturopathic doctor in Toronto – I can help you determine the right treatment plan to help you improve your health.