Most people are aware that Vitamin D is essential for healthy human existence. But did you know that there are about 30,000 genes in your body and vitamin D affects over 3,000 of them? In fact, it’s been found that Vitamin D can help prevent 77% of all cancers.
Vitamin D is not like any other vitamin. It actually becomes a hormone within the body, particularly a secosteroid hormone from either sun exposure or supplementation. Vitamin D is so powerful that it’s able to influence genetic expression that produces major health benefits. Researchers have confirmed that increasing levels of vitamin D3 among the general population could prevent many diseases.
Vitamin D is involved in the health of all the cells and tissues in the human body. Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have discovered that Vitamin D is vital to activating our immune defenses and that without the right amount of vitamin D, the killer T cell will not become activated and will be unable to fight off germs.
Vitamin D can help lower the risk of breast cancer by 80%. Studies confirm that 70% of women with breast cancer are vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D has been found to prevent breast cancer cell growth and decrease the expression of cancer-causing genes.
A study published in the International Journal of Nanomedicine found that vitamin D3 is able to make the cardiovascular system healthier. So keeping those vitamin D levels above normal can actually help prevent heart disease.
We’ve all heard that Vitamin D helps keep your bones strong. But it’s not just the vitamin D by itself. This little vitamin plays a crucial role in the regulation of calcium and maintenance of phosphorus levels in the blood, two factors that are necessary for keeping your bones healthy. So without vitamin D, people start to suffer from osteoporosis and are more likely to suffer from broken bones as they age.
This fun fact might surprise you. A 2015 study published in Current Diabetes Reviews found that vitamin D replacement has great effects on all aspects of type 2 diabetes. Vitamin D helps regulate the body’s sensitivity to insulin. Insulin is the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Thus, reducing the risk of insulin resistance, which is often a precursor to type 2 diabetes.
Magnesium is another vital nutrient that goes hand in hand with vitamin D. In order to have enough vitamin D in the body, you must take an adequate amount of magnesium. When the body is low in magnesium, it can affect your sleep, your mental health and your muscles.
One of the easiest ways to boost your vitamin D levels is by sitting in the sun for 10 minutes without sunscreen. This gives your body about 10,000 units of natural vitamin D. In fact, if you are fair to medium toned, you need to get about 10 to 15 minutes of direct sunlight daily. If you are dark skinned, you would need more time in the sun to make enough vitamin D because your skin has more protection against the sun.
And just like everything else, as we age, we tend to need more nutrients to remain vibrant and healthy. The recommended amount of vitamin D for kids and adults is 600 IU or 15 mcg per day. Then once a person reaches 70 years of age, it is recommended that they get 800 IU or 20 mcg per day.
But think about how easy it is to get what you need just by going outside and enjoying the sun. Just 10 minutes a day with no sunscreen can help keep your body functioning optimally. So while the sun is dominating the skies, be sure to get out there and soak up the rays. Your body will thank you.