What is vitamin D for in the human body?
Vitamin D is the supergroup of fat-soluble vitamins that support the body in important processes. Vitamin D is particularly known for its function of maintaining bone health and supporting the body in absorbing calcium.
In addition, vitamin D metabolizes the proteins in the body and strengthens the immune system, so that it also serves to ward off diseases. In addition, the vitamin is essential for functioning muscles, healthy cardiac output, as well as blood sugar levels and blood pressure. Vitamin D also keeps the nervous system healthy.
How is vitamin D absorbed in the body?
There are two ways in which vitamin D can be absorbed by the body.
This is:
- the independent production of the body due to the synthesis with sunlight
- the intake of vitamin D through diet or supplements.
The special thing about vitamin D is that the body is able to produce the vitamin itself due to the influence of ultraviolet radiation from the sun. As soon as the sun’s rays come into contact with our skin, it begins body with the synthesis. The liver provides a kind of preliminary stage for vitamin D and releases it into the layers of the skin. The so-called PreVitamin-D3 is formed when the skin is exposed to UV rays.
PreVitamin-D3 is also known from food supplements. In this form, the body is given the preliminary stage of vitamin D so that it can process and activate it itself. This also prevents overproduction from supplementation.
PreVitamin-D3 is then converted to calcidiol via the liver. This is also the form of vitamin D, which doctors can measure in blood levels and provides information about a deficiency.
In order to fully activate vitamin D and make it available to the body, the kidneys convert it to calcitriol. Calcitriol then docks onto the body’s vitamin D receptors and thus begins to work.
Interesting to know
The warmer the sun emits its rays, the more vitamin D the body can produce. However, overdosing cannot occur because the human body is specifically able to avoid overproduction!
Vitamin D Deficiency – What Are the Symptoms?
A Lack of Vitamin D can manifest itself in many different symptoms, which can vary from person to person. Very often mood changes occur when there is a deficiency. This is especially the case in winter, which is why one should also think of a “Winterdepression“Can speak when the body is receiving too little vitamin D. As soon as the vitamin D level in the blood drops, it can lead to listlessness and tiredness.
Another symptom is a lowered immune system, which leads to an increased risk of infections. The body is no longer able to reliably fight off viruses and bacteria, which can lead to frequent illnesses, especially in winter.
In addition, vitamin D helps keep the body’s bones healthy, which increases the risk of bone pain and bone disease. In severe cases of the deficiency, the bones can also be deformed.
Hair loss, headaches and body aches can also indicate a deficiency. In addition, low vitamin D levels can lead to muscle cramps and pain.
If there is already a deficiency or if you want to additionally supply the body with vitamin D in winter, then supplementation is suitable. There are numerous dietary supplements that are used to provide the body with sufficient amounts. A good overview of the various supplements with vitamin D can be found at shop pharmacy.
How to prevent vitamin D deficiency
The best way to prevent a shortage is by staying in daylight. Care should be taken to ensure that airy clothes are worn so that the sun’s rays reach the skin. Even a short walk in nice weather can help the body to produce enough vitamin D.
In the colder and darker winter months should therefore be one healthy and balanced diet Care must be taken to ensure that the body still provides enough vitamin D due to the lack of synthesis with the sun. Eggs, vegetables, fruit as well as fish and oatmeal can serve to maintain the vitamin D level.