Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. The body naturally produces Vitamin D through sun exposure. The vitamin is necessary for Calcium and Phosphorus absorption in the body.
Other body functions that rely on Vitamin D include:
- Regulation of calcium metabolism
- Growth and development of bones and teeth in children
- Prevention of muscle weakness
- Normal regulation of heartbeat
- Immune system boosting
Calcium and Vitamin D typically go hand in hand. They support each other to give our bodies the maximum benefits from both.
Vitamin D in Nature
It is always best to get your vitamins from natural, organic sources. Synthetic vitamins can be toxic to the body. They are also harder to digest and absorb.
We recommend getting your Vitamin D from plant sources.
Vitamin D is called the sunshine vitamin due to the fact that it is created through sun exposure. While excess sun exposure poses its own risks, moderate protected sun exposure is beneficial for Vitamin D production. Be sure to wear proper sun protection including SPF when outdoors.
Another way to get natural Vitamin D is through green foods. Foods become green because of Chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is a green pigment present in all green plants and is responsible for the absorption of light. This provides the energy for photosynthesis.
Some natural food sources of Vitamin D include:
- Parsley
- Nettle
- Alfalfa
- Blue-Green Algae
- Chlorella
- Horsetail
Vitamin D Deficiency
A deficiency in Vitamin D can lead to serious complications. Since the vitamin helps the body avoid degenerative ailments, a lack of it can cause a number of problems.
Some of the most common conditions associated with Vitamin D deficiency include:
- Osteoporosis
- Breast Cancer
- Crohn’s Disease
- Psoriasis
- Asthma
- Prostate Cancer
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Osteoarthritis
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Diabetes
- Gum disease
- Colon Cancer
- Scleroderma
- Rickets
- Celiac disease
- Skin Cancer
Additionally, bones can become brittle, thin and impaired bone mineralization when the body lacks Vitamin D. Kidney and liver disorders are also tied to the deficiency.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.