WELLNESS AUTHOR
Aja Webber
DIVING INTO VITAMIN D n In this article, we’ll take a look at what vitamin D is and how it really works to help the body.
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itamin D is an essential ingredient needed for our bodies to function properly. You probably already know that you can get it from the sun, citrus fruits and supplements, but what does vitamin D actually do within our bodies? Sure, it can help support the immune system when you’re sick, but there are plenty of other benefits of this vitamin for the body.
What is Vitamin D?
Calciferol — more commonly known as vitamin D — is a fatsoluble prohormone that can be found in certain foods and is available as a dietary supplement. Another source of vitamin D is the
AUGUST 2021
infamous sun. When ultraviolet rays from sunlight make contact with skin, it triggers a reaction called vitamin D synthesis which allows your body to absorb vitamin D from the sun. Despite its name, vitamin D is not actually a vitamin. Shocking, right? Vitamins are not naturally produced by the body, but must be absorbed through supplementation. Vitamin D, however, is naturally occurring in the body, and therefore it is known as a prohormone which is the precursor of a hormone. While vitamin D is naturally occurring, some can suffer from a vitamin D deficiency for a variety of reasons. Here we will dive into the many factors that can contribute to vitamin D deficiency.
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Vitamin D Deficiency
There are six main factors that can increase your risk of developing a vitamin D deficiency. 1. Diet 2. Exposure to sunlight 3. Skin tone 4. Kidney function 5. Digestive tract problems 6. Obesity Natural sources of vitamin D typically come from animal products such as eggs, fish, milk and liver. Therefore, someone on a strictly vegan diet may be more susceptible to vitamin D deficiency. Spending time outside in the sunlight is a great way to prevent a vitamin D deficiency, because your body is able to produce
