Top Health Benefits of Vitamin D!

April 17, 2018

By: Dr. Danielle Stromme, DC

1. Maintain bone health: Vitamin D plays a role in calcium absorption into the bones. A deficiency in vitamin D can result in a softening of the bones called osteomalacia, or a bone abnormality called rickets. Additionally, a deficiency increases the risk for developing osteoporosis and experiencing fractures or broken bones.
2. Enhance our immune system: Vitamin D helps with healthy cell replication and may play a role in protecting against the development of autoimmune conditions in addition to less serious common colds and the flu. Although it is suggested to take daily, my go-to protocol when starting to feel the slightest bit sick, is taking 500,000 IU of vitamin D 3 days in a row at the same time. This helps to replenish stores of vitamin D in the body rather quickly decreasing the chance of getting sick or decreasing the severity of your sickness. Our immune cells contain receptors for vitamin D, and it’s been shown that vitamin D seems to prevent prolonged or excessive inflammatory responses. Inflammation is often at the root of many modern, chronic diseases and autoimmune disorders: multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive disorders, high blood pressure, and more.
3. Helps with concentration, learning and memory: Several studies have shown that vitamin D also effects our ability to making decisions, concentrate and to retain information. Some studies have shown that people with lower levels of vitamin D perform poorly on standardized exams, may have poor decision-making skills and have difficulty with tasks that require focus and attention.
4. Facilitates in Hormone Regulation and Helps Improve Our Mood:Because it acts like a hormone within our body and effects brain function, vitamin D deficiency has been linked to an increased risk for mood disorders including depression, seasonal depression (known as the “winter blues” but actually more serious), severe mood problems experienced during PMS, insomnia, and anxiety.