VITAMIN D
Vitamin D is a fat soluble pro-hormone . This means that the vitamin D is stored in your fat so it stays in the body longer and can become toxic more easily. Vitamin D also plays an important role in calcium absorption, promotes bone growth, and regulation of immune response.
|
WE OBTAIN VITAMIN D FROM THREE SOURCES
SunVitamin D is produced by an endogenous reaction when our skin is exposed to the sun but can also be obtained from a tanning bed. All you need is UVB (290-320 nm) light. There is an increased hazard for skin cancer by being exposed to these rays. Therefore many sunblocks have UVB protection thus causing a decrease production in vitamin D3.
|
Factors that decrease endogenously produced vitamin D
|
|
|
Food
Vitamin D is found in some foods naturally and fortified in others.
Supplements
Supplements come in two forms vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and D2 (ergocalciferol). Vitamin D3 is what is produced endogenously from the body. Some believe that this form is better because it is what is produced in the body but no substantial research in humans back this claim.
Recommended Daily Allowance
There is great variability of daily recommended allowances depending on which organization you look at. This variability can lead people to take more than is needed by the body and is one of the causes of vitamin D toxicity. Below are two examples of how different the recommendations are.
|