Vitamin D is the fat-soluble vitamin that exists in three forms, D1, D2, and D3. it performs vital functions in the body by mainly regulating the levels of calcium and phosphorus.
Natural sources of Vitamin D
- Vitamin D can be naturally obtained from sunlight, that is why it is also called the sunshine vitamin.
- Some food items also contain a good amount of this vitamin, these foods are,
- Fish
- Fish oil
- Fortified milk
- Egg yolk
- Cereals
- Orange juice
- Yogurt
Table of Contents
Functions of Vitamin D:
- Vit-D help is making bones stronger, as it performs the absorption of calcium from the blood into the bones. Vitamin D is also good for replacing old bone cells with new ones, when old bone cells are destroyed by the osteoclast cell the calcium is absorbed into the blood and when new bone is formed by the osteoblast cells the calcium is again absorbed by the bones from the blood.
- By making calcium reach the teeth, vitamin D is also good for oral health and prevents tooth decay.
- It helps prevent heart problems in older individuals and keeps the arteries healthy.
- Vitamin D is seen to increase the testosterone levels in men, improve the quality of sperms and also prevent erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction can be treated with Tadarise Oral Jelly 20mg that you can buy online by visiting our website. However prevention is better than cure, so men must take Vitamin D supplements and foods to maintain a healthy level of the vitamin in their body.
- Vitamin D can also help in weight loss, as shown by studies that obese men had lower levels of Vitamin D as compares to leaner men.
The deficiency of Vitamin D in the body leads to serious health hazards.
Vitamin D deficiency symptoms:
- Rickets is a disease due to low Vitamin D in children, in which the bones of the patient are softer and not well developed from childhood.
- High risk of fracture
- Osteomalacia, a disease of low vitamin D in adults.
- Joint pain, bone pain
- Muscle spasm and muscle aches,
- Bowing of the legs from childhood
This deficiency can be controlled by taking supplements.
Vitamin D supplement:
Besides the natural sources of vitamin D from the sunlight and food products, there are many supplements available that can fulfill the body’s need for this vitamin.
The supplemental for Vitamin D comes in either the D2 or D3 form.
Vitamin D3 supplements:
- The D3 supplements are derived from animal sources and are also known as cholecalciferol. Few foods are naturally rich in vitamin D3.
- The best sources are the flesh of fatty fish and fish liver oils. Smaller amounts are found in egg yolks, cheese, and beef liver.
- Vitamin D3 is indicated for dietary supplementation (use as a vitamin).
Vitamin D2 supplements:
- The D2 form is derived from plant sources and is less commonly used as compared to the D3 form.
- Certain mushrooms contain some vitamin D2; besides, some commercially sold mushrooms contain higher amounts of D2 due to intentionally being exposed to high amounts of ultraviolet light.
- Vitamin D2 is indicated for rickets, hypoparathyroidism, and familial hypophosphatemia.
Comparison:
Vitamin D3 may be less toxic than D2 because higher concentrations of D2 circulate in the blood when consumed. It does not bind as well to the receptors in the human tissues compared to vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is the more potent form of vitamin D, which is a potential benefit.
This vitamin should be consumed within the recommended limit because excess can also cause problems
Vitamin D excess symptoms:
- Heart damage
- Kidney damage
- Calcification of the blood vessels
- Hypercalcemia or increase blood concentration of calcium
- Kidney stone development
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Excessive thirst
- Weight loss
- Cardiac Arrhythmia
- Abdominal pain