VITAMIN D

Sunshine Vitamin

Vitamin D is also commonly known as ‘the sunshine vitamin’ as it is produced in the skin from the energy of the sun. It is important for calcium and phosphorus absorption, and helps to regulate calcium metabolism. It is the most essential vitamin for preventing rickets, a known deficiency disease affecting children, and is characterised by defective bone formation, disturbance of calcium utilisation in the body.

Role in the Body

Vitamin D assists in absorption of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals in the digestive tract. It is vital for the healthy functioning of the parathyroid glands, which regulate the calcium level in the blood. It protects against osteoporosis. It is necessary for strong teeth and bones.

Sources

Vitamin D is produced from a substance present beneath the skin when sunlight falls upon the surface of the body. The vitamin is not present in any significant degree in foods. Compared with fish-liver oil, which is the best source of vitamin D, other foods are quite low in vitamin D.

Deficiency Symptoms

Its deficiency causes bone pain, muscular weakness and spasm. Prolonged deficiency of Vitamin D may cause rickets, a disease affecting the whole body. It also causes osteoporosis.

Healing and Therapeutic Properties

Vitamin D is very important in the prevention and treatment of rickets. It is considered extremely beneficial in the treatment of arthritis. It needs to be taken with calcium for the body to be able to utilise it efficiently. It is useful in the treatment of tooth decay and studies have proved that when enough amounts of vitamin D were given to children, tooth destruction ceased. 

Toxicity

If taken in large doses causes nausea, vomiting, itching on the skin, headache and depression.