Anti-Aging & Wellness

Balancing D

You need vitamin D every day if you want to maintain optimal health. It’s a powerhouse that your body relies on for several functions, ranging from a strong immune system to sturdy bones. However, because of the nature of vitamin D, it can be tricky to make sure you’re getting enough of it.

What Is Vitamin D?

Technically, vitamin D isn’t a vitamin at all. It’s a type of fat-soluble hormone produced by the body. This is achieved by converting the rays of the sun into vitamin D when they’re absorbed into the skin. However, there are several factors that may prevent you from getting enough vitamin D from sunlight. These include the use of UV-blocking sunscreen, too much time spent indoors, or pollution and cloud cover that keeps UV rays from fully reaching the earth’s atmosphere.

If you don’t get enough sunlight to produce vitamin D, you can try modifying your diet. Vitamin D occurs naturally in some foods, such as liver, cheese and fatty fish like salmon and tuna. It’s also often found in foods fortified with vitamin D, such as some dairy products, juices and cereals. People who don’t get the recommended daily allowance of vitamin D—600 to 800 international units (IU) for adults—through sun exposure or diet may try supplementation.

Should I Get a Vitamin D Injection?

It may be wise to explore injections if you have any risk factors for a vitamin D deficiency. You may also want to get an injection if you experience signs of D3 deficiency, such as:

• Fatigue
• Weak bones
• Weight gain
• Sleep issues
• Headaches
• Depression symptoms
• Digestive problems

What are the Advantages of Balancing D

• Strong bones 

Vitamin D helps prevent brittle, weak bones—and lowers the risk of osteoporosis that can occur as a result—because it helps the body absorb bone-building calcium. Too little vitamin D can cause bone pain, as well as muscle weakness, in a condition called osteomalacia. 

• A healthy heart

Vitamin D may provide crucial support in maintaining healthy blood vessels (which may lower high blood pressure) and lowering cholesterol (to cut the risk of atherosclerosis, plaque buildup on blood vessel walls). 

• A responsive immune system

Vitamin D may be helpful with immune support in warding off the germs that can cause colds, flu or other illnesses. It may also be effective in alleviating symptoms of inflammation caused by autoimmune diseases. 

• Elevated mood

If you are struggling with mood disorders such as depression, vitamin D may help; some research indicates a link between low blood levels of vitamin D and depression symptoms. 

• Cognitive health

Some researchers have found that the brain has many vitamin D receptors, and it’s crucial not just for developing babies’ brains in-utero but also for maintaining cognitive function throughout life.

• Diabetes and weight loss support

Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to obesity and diabetes. Eliminating a vitamin D deficiency may help manage diabetes symptoms and enhance weight loss efforts.