Vitamin D is a “supership” of health for all ages. Researchers even describe it as a vitamin of the future. Until a few years ago, most people knew that it was only necessary to prevent osteoporosis and rickets. Today, however, the facts are quite different, as new evidence proves its crucial role in maintaining good health.

Vitamin D is our modern ally

According to new scientific research that sees the light of day, the benefits of vitamin D are as follows:

• Strengthens the immune system
• Maintains blood sugar and blood pressure levels at normal levels
• It also contributes to the good functioning of the heart.

One such example is the Harvard University survey of 10,000 women. The results showed that those in the study who took vitamin D supplements were 43% less likely to develop some form of heart disease within the next eleven years.

Other studies have shown that vitamin D contributes to the prevention of many serious diseases. Some of them are prostate, breast, skin & colon cancers. Vitamin D acts in the body by limiting the growth and breakdown of cancer cells.

It has also been suggested that chronic vitamin D deficiency may play an important role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. Many studies show its significant contribution in cases of psychiatric diseases (eg depression) and autoimmune diseases (eg multiple sclerosis).

All of the above demonstrate the great importance of vitamin D in meeting the needs of our body.

Weight loss

The combination of adequate intake of vitamin D with a healthy diet, leads to weight loss and especially abdominal fat. This was the result of a study by the University of Minnesota.

Children

At the same time, vitamin D protects children from rickets. The American Pediatric Society recommends its use in all breastfed infants for the first six months of life. It is also recommended for all children and adolescents who do not consume at least 1000ml of milk per day. Specifically, the recommended amount for them is 400IU, when 100ml of milk contains 40 IU of vitamin D.

Vitamin D: the health problems caused by its lack

The most serious complications of vitamin D deficiency are:

• Low levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood
• Occurrence of rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults
• Increased frequency of falls and concomitant fractures

Also, the lack of this valuable vitamin has been associated with an increased risk:

• Multiple sclerosis
• Diabetes mellitus (both type 1 and type 2)
• Different types of cancer (especially bowel)
• Heart disease
• Psychiatric diseases
• Autoimmune diseases

Sos signs

The most common symptoms caused by vitamin D deficiency are fatigue, generalized muscle weakness, cramps, joint pain, inability to concentrate, headaches.

How is the diagnosis made?

Vitamin D levels in the body are controlled by a blood test called 25-hydroxy vitamin D. According to the American Endocrinology Society, the lower normal blood pressure should be 30 ng / ml. Between 20 and 30 ng / ml is considered deficiency and below 10 ng / ml vitamin D deficiency. Ideally its blood levels should be between 40 and 60 ng / ml.