VITAMIN D

Vitamin D is a key factor in reducing the risk of colon cancer and osteoporosis. Vitamin D, which is fat-soluble, is essential to maintaining blood levels of calcium. It does this by increasing absorption of calcium from food and reducing the loss of calcium via the urine. Therefore, Vitamin D helps maintain bone mass by keeping calcium in the body.

According to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (2005;294:2336–41), to maintain normal calcium metabolism, a person’s vitamin D status appears to be more important than supplementing with calcium. The results of this study suggest that assuring adequate vitamin D levels might provide greater protection against osteoporosis than taking calcium every day.

Vitamin D is also instrumental in immunity and blood cell formation and is needed for maintaining adequate blood levels of insulin.

Sources of Vitamin D

Most vitamin D in the body is created during a chemical reaction that occurs when the body is exposed to the sun. Hence Vitamin D is often known as the "sunshine vitamin." According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, 10 to 15 minutes of sunshine 3 times weekly is adequate to produce the body's requirement of vitamin D.

Foods With Vitamin D

Cod liver oil is an excellent source of vitamin D. Dairy products including cheese, butter, cream
milk (all milk in the US is fortified with vitamin D), fish, oysters, fortified cereals and margarine.

Resources for Vitamin D Supplements

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