Vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin) captured everyone’s attention last year due to its role in strengthening our immune, but are its benefits limited to this role?

Our bodies need it to build and maintain strong and healthy bones because it helps in calcium absorption. It also regulates many other vital activities and aids in the maintenance of a healthy immune system and muscular performance. It also has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and nerve-protective properties.

Vitamin D benefits

Studies show that it can help prevent and reduce the risk of certain diseases, such as:

• Cognitive health. According to research, low levels of vitamin D in the blood are linked to poor focus and memory.
• Multiple Sclerosis. Studies show that taking vitamin D for long periods reduces the risk of developing multiple sclerosis.
• Osteomalacia. Severe deficiency leads to bone mineral loss, bone pain, muscle weakness, and osteomalacia.
• Osteoporosis Studies show that it can reduce the risk of bone fractures along with calcium.
• Psoriasis. It may contribute to the treatment of some types of psoriasis in some patients.
• Rickets. Kids get this disease because of its deficiency.

Sources

Our bodies produce vitamin D, after their exposure to direct sunshine, it depends on many factors, including the time of day, season, where you live, and the color of your skin pigment.

Some people, such as those who wear clothes that cover most of their skin when outside or those with dark skin, cannot produce enough from sunshine due to inadequate sunlight exposure.

It is also not naturally available in many foods; however, you can get it from:

• Fortified milk
• Fortified breakfast cereals
• Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines.
• Supplements such as Provita Vitamin D

Kids

Breast milk does not usually provide all the amount that babies need, therefore

• All babies need vitamin D such as Provita D3 liquid Drops soon after birth.
• Babies under the age of 12 months need 400 IU every day.
• Kids from 12 to 24 months old need 600 international units daily.

Overdose

Vitamin D is generally safe if taken in appropriate doses, but high intakes can cause multiple harms. All of those who take more than 4,000 IU per day may experience:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Poor appetite and weight loss
• constipation
• Weakness
• Confusion and a sense of disorientation
• Arrhythmia problems
• Kidney stones and damage

If you notice any of these symptoms, go to the hospital immediately.