5 reasons why your body just cannot do without vitamin D

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that the body requires for proper functioning. The fat-soluble vitamin is also referred to as sunshine vitamin since it is produced in the skin in response to sunlight.

There are also a few foods that can help you provide the right dose of vitamin D in your body.

Vitamin D helps protect the heart, reduces inflammation, regulates blood pressure and is also important for the immune system, muscles and cell growth. Calcium and phosphorus are regulated and absorbed in the human body only when there is adequate vitamin D.

If your body is not getting the right amount of the sunshine vitamin, you may be at risk of developing bone abnormalities such as osteomalacia (soft bones) or osteoporosis (fragile bones). A Mid America Heart and Vascular Institute and University of Missouri-Kansas City study showed that 96% of people who had experienced heart attacks were low in vitamin D

Here are a few health benefits of this vitamin you just cannot ignore:

1. It lowers depression
   Vitamin D, as per research, might help in regulating mood and keeping away depression.

Scientists have found that vitamin D can actually help keep depression away. A study published in the Journal of Internal medicine found has also found that people with depression who took vitamin D supplements witnessed an improvement in their symptoms.

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2. It minimises risk of multiple sclerosis and reduces risk of heart disease
A study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that an adequate amount of vitamin D in the body reduces the risk of multiple sclerosis.

A new study published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics has also suggested eating foods high in vitamin may have protective effects on a person’s heart.

3. It helps in weight loss
If you are trying to shed those extra kilos, you must consider adding Vitamin D to your diet. According to a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, those taking calcium and Vitamin D supplements every day were able to lose more weight.

The scientists feel that more intake of calcium and Vitamin D had an appetite-suppressing effect.

Also, Read: 4 non-dairy sources of calcium that are as delish as they are weight-loss friendly

4. It also boosts bone health
Vitamin D plays a pivotal role in regulating and maintaining calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood, so it helps to keep bones strong. Without optimum vitamin D in our bodies, it can’t effectively absorb calcium which is essential to good bone health.

According to Harvard Health, a small amount of sun exposure can help the body manufacture its own vitamin D. Scientists say that about five to 30 minutes of sunlight between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. twice a week to one’s face, arms, legs, or back enables one to make enough of the vitamin naturally in the body.

Also, Read: Turns out, exposure to air pollution can also be damning for your bone health

5. A reduced risk of flu
A Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) study has found that vitamin D supplements protect against acute respiratory infections including colds and flu.

Scientists have also found, in separate studies that vitamin D supplements should be evaluated further as a possibly useful component towards reducing influenza mortality rates, especially in the elderly.