The benefits of vitamin D

(WNDU) – New research provides strong evidence that vitamin D deficiency can lead to premature death.

It makes people aware of the importance of making sure they get enough of it, even in the winter. But so many people are suffering from vitamin D deficiency that some experts are calling it an invisible epidemic.

Have no fear, because there are plenty of ways to get enough.

It’s no secret that vitamin D is essential for balancing many areas of health. From pediatric fractures to cluster headaches, doctors and scientists are still learning just how powerful the “sunshine vitamin” is, especially when it comes to fighting off viruses.

“The main effect we’re talking about in vitamin D really has to do with the immune system itself just fighting the virus rather than counteracting some of these things, such as blood clotting and reversing weak oxygen levels,” explained Ivan Castro. , MD.

“We know that in our patient samples that have been taken and put into tissue culture, vitamin D shuts down stromal cells,” said Jeffrey Drebin, MD, chair of the Department of Surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering.

A person can get vitamin D in three ways: through the skin, through food, and from supplements prescribed by a doctor.

The National Institutes of Health recommends 400 international units of vitamin D for newborns up to 12 months, 600 for children and adults up to age 70, as well as nursing women, and 800 international units for adults 71 and over.

For people who are very close to the normal vitamin D level, which is 30, experts recommend adding more vitamin D to your diet.

“For example, mushrooms, salmon, halibut, herring,” Dr. Castro explained. “The milk is fortified with vitamin D, eggs, that sort of thing.”

The bottom line? Vitamin D is vital for your life!

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