Easy D for health

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a unique vitamin since it can be transferred to the body through supplements, food sources and sun light.  There are two forms of vitamin D which as Vitamin D2 or Ergocalciferol and Vitamin D3 which is Cholecalciferol.  In order for this particular vitamin to become active in the body it needs to undergo two hydroxylation reactions and the active form of vitamin D is calcitriol.  The latter is important since it helps various human organs in the body to maintain a healthy status and function properly.

Vitamin D Deficiencies

A deficiency in vitamin D can cause major bone diseases for both children and adults.  The Calcitriol or active vitamin D agent helps to transport the calcium in the human body through the bloodstream and helps to absorb calcium and phosphorous in the body.  This helps to prevent such bone diseases.  A deficiency in vitamin D can also lead to liver and kidney malfunction as well as diseases that soften the bone.

Vitamin D Sources

Besides being absorbed through the skin, Vitamin D comes from a variety of natural sources that are extremely healthy for human beings.  Such sources of Vitamin D include the following: herring, salmon, catfish, fish liver oils, mackerel, eel, sardines, tune, eggs, beef liver, mushrooms, milk, yogurt, cheese, pastries, bread, margarine, oil spreads and cereals.  With healthy servings of Vitamin D and daily exposure to the sun for a limited amount of time, the body will be able to function healthily and properly.  In countries where daylight is limited, even for only a portion of the calendar year, it is extremely important to raise the level of vitamin D in the diet.

Preventing Disease with Vitamin D

A variety of diseases can appear without sufficient levels of vitamin D.  Therefore, with daily recommended servings of vitamin D, this vitamin can prevent against such diseases as rickets (in children), osteomalacia, osteoporosis, high blood disease, cancer, memory loss, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, diabetes type 1, Parkinson’s disease, peripheral artery disease, periodontal disease and tuberculosis.

Vitamin D and Cancer

Vitamin D has also been linked to preventing cancer as the active agent, calcitrol has been able to kill cancer cells in experimental stages.  From various studies, researchers believe that Vitamin D offers protection against cancer from forming.  Tests have shown that vitamin D helps to prevent against specific cancers such as prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer and breast cancer.