9 Important Benefits of Vitamin D That You Should Know About

Is vitamin D the most important supplement? This can definitely seem like the case when glancing at research on vitamin D3 deficiency symptoms. While we all need adequate levels of vitamin D to thrive, the modern "indoor" lifestyle can make it hard to get the natural exposure to vitamin D that can keep us healthy, happy, and winning the fight against illness and disease.

While eating vitamin D foods is a great way to fill in gaps, it's often not enough to reverse a vitamin D deficiency. What's more, people in Northern climates don't have access to adequate levels of vitamin D for a large chunk of the year. Even people who live in sunny climates won't necessarily be able to absorb enough vitamin D naturally to avoid becoming deficient. This is where supplementation becomes crucial for health and wellness. Take a look at why vitamin D matters.

What are the benefits of vitamin D?

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps the human body to absorb and retain calcium and phosphorus. In addition to being essential for bone building, vitamin D supports the health of the entire musculoskeletal system. However, this "primary" function of vitamin D is only the beginning.


Maintaining adequate vitamin D levels may be able to help:

1. Improve mood. Vitamin D has been shown to improve mood.
2. Provide Immune Support. "Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in autoimmune disease," according to a 2012 study. further evidence suggests that healthy vitamin D levels may support healthy immune function.
3. Prevent some cancers. Some evidence suggests that vitamin D may play a role in preventing some cancers.
4. Support a healthy pregnancy. The importance of vitamin D in pregnancy rests in the way it helps the body absorb the right amounts of calcium and phosphate. This can be crucial for helping a baby's bones, heart, teeth, kidneys and nervous system to develop properly.
5. Fight inflammation. Research shows that vitamin D can help to reduce inflammation in the body.
6. Lower the risk of multiple sclerosis. Maintaining adequate vitamin D levels may have a protective effect and lower the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS).
7. Reduce the cholesterol levels. In studies, vitamin D supplementation appears to have a beneficial effect on reducing total serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
8. Protect against rheumatoid arthritis. Vitamin D may offer protection against developing rheumatoid arthritis.
9. Improve athletic performance. Research on the sports benefits of vitamin D shows that increasing vitamin D intake can help to increase exercise capacity, strength and overall physical performance. It also helps with muscle protein synthesis, which is great news for athletes.

How much vitamin D do I need?

While everyone needs vitamin D, vitamin D needs can vary by person. For instance, athletes may need more vitamin D than others. The importance of vitamin D for athletes is high since vitamin D supports musculoskeletal health.

Vitamin D needs can also vary by gender. How much vitamin D per day for a woman is recommended? According to experts, the recommended amount for women ages 14 to 70 is 600 IU daily. Women 71 and older should take up to 800 IU daily. However, like with any supplement, you should check with your health care provider to determine the best dose for your specific needs.

How do you know if you have a vitamin D deficiency?

A vitamin D deficiency can manifest in a variety of ways. Unfortunately, some people might not realize they are suffering from a lack of vitamin D until they endure chronic pain and illness. Here's a glance at the symptoms of low vitamin D to watch for:

• Fatigue
• Low energy
• Mood changes
• Dehydrated skin
• Bone pain
• Aches throughout the body
• Muscle weakness
• Muscle aches
• Muscle cramps
• Stress fractures

People who spend most of their time indoors are at greater risk for vitamin D deficiency. In addition, people who live in cities where sunlight is blocked also tend to have lower levels of vitamin D. Even making the smart choice of wearing sunscreen daily can put you at risk for low vitamin D.

The good news is that supplementing with vitamin D is one of the easiest ways to reverse negative symptoms of low vitamin D. Even people who aren't necessarily suffering from severe low vitamin D symptoms can still enjoy added vitality through supplementation.

Our Vitamin D3 offers one of the easiest ways to get physician-recommended vitamin D levels daily without the risks associated with spending time in the sun.

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