5 Benefits of Vitamin D
You may have heard a lot about Vitamin D in the news recently since the ‘sunshine’ vitamin has been getting a lot of attention. Researchers are finding that this amazing vitamin is even more important to our health than previously thought. Not long ago I was at a conference and the speaker mentioned that there are many doctors who had always tested every patient for vitamin D deficiency until they realized that every patient was deficient. Now, these same doctors just prescribe vitamin D and test for these levels after six months of supplementing with vitamin D.
Americans are so deficient in Vitamin D and it is affecting their everyday health. Here are 5 benefits of Vitamin D that may surprise you:
- Promotes healthy vision – this vitamin may help reduce age-related macular degeneration (MAD)
- May help to prevent 16 types of cancers – vitamin D has been linked to potentially preventing up to 16 different types of cancers including lung, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate and skin cancers
- Reduces or eliminates depression – research has shown that women with the highest levels of vitamin D have fewer signs of depression
- Reduces cavities – vitamin D has been shown to improve bone health and it also reduces cavities
- Modulates inflammation – this vitamin also reduces inflammation in your body which benefits those suffering with rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and many more inflammatory diseases and conditions
The best source of vitamin D is still from the sun. However, Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is the preferred supplement form for best absorption. Please discuss with your healthcare practitioner prior to starting any supplementation program.