Vitamin D

Today you constantly hear about the need to protect your skin from the sun, but you may also have heard that you need some sun exposure. This confusing message is actually based on two different health truths. Too much sun is not good for you, but you need some sun exposure for your body to produce Vitamin D. In 1921, American researcher Elmer McCollum identified Vitamin D when he cured rickets in his dog. Named as such because it was the fourth vitamin McCollum identified, the potential natural power of Vitamin D is still being discovered.

Since the 1960s, scientists have increasingly focused attention on unlocking the significant natural power of Vitamin D. Vitamin D is actually a group of secosteroids which the body uses to fortify and protect itself in many ways. When doctors refer to Vitamin D, though there are many types, they are referring to those most relevant for humans: Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) which are metabolized into critical prehormone. Cutting-edge research has linked adequate levels of Vitamin D to vital processes such as building strong bones, maintaining cardiovascular health, preventing cancer, and instigating weight loss. Found in fortified foods, supplements, and naturally produced by the body, these two forms of Vitamin D play a critical role in human health.  

Scientists have found that regularly exposing your bare skin to just ten to fifteen minutes of sunshine is enough for your skin to produce Vitamin D. This, however, may not be possible in cold climates or may not be right or enough for your body. In that case, Vitamin D may be consumed in fortified food such as cereals, breads, yogurt or milk or in its naturally occurring form in foods such as fatty fishes, liver, eggs, or mushrooms.  

Your body will use that Vitamin D in almost every part of your body. After being absorbed, your body routes the Vitamin D to your liver where it is metabolized into calcidiol, a prehormone. This calcidiol then goes to the kidneys where it is turned into calcitriol. This calcitriol is essential for maintaining proper blood calcium levels which, in turn, affect the functioning of all the cells in your body. Only if you have adequate levels of Vitamin D will your kidneys have all the calcidiol they need and, in turn, allow your tissues receive any of this important prehormone. While calcitriol is clearly key, exciting research is now showing calcidiol metabolized in the tissues can have huge benefits to the immune system and in optimizing other body functions. So, if you are craving a bit of sun exposure, that just might be your body telling you are lacking adequate levels of Vitamin D. Do yourself a big favor and pay attention by stepping outside or eating a Vitamin D rich fortified food.  You can easily harness the natural power of Vitamin D for better overall health.