Studies Show Surprising Vitamin D Benefits

Modern living offers many conveniences but it can sometimes negatively affect the human body. This is the case with the essential absorption of vitamin D.

Mostly synthesized in your body by being exposed to the sun, this vitamin is now at almost epidemic lows in many people. Modern living and global warming has caused many of us to not spend time in the sun, slather our skin with sun block, as well as cover up most of our body with clothing.

Lack of vitamin D is becoming so prevalent that the Harvard School of Public Health reports,

“Worldwide, an estimated 1 billion people have inadequate levels of vitamin D in their blood, and deficiencies can be found in all ethnicities and age groups. Indeed, in industrialized countries, doctors are even seeing the resurgence of rickets, the bone-weakening disease that had been largely eradicated through vitamin D fortification.”

Take a gander at how these studies show surprising vitamin D benefits so you can make an informed decision on adding this essential element to your daily routine.

Prevent Disease

Vitamin D is important for the body to be able to absorb calcium and phosphorous, two essential components of healthy bones. It also is a key component in maintaining a strong immune system and could be a preventative to developing some serious diseases.

The Journal of American Medicine (JAMA) reported on a study by researchers from the Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, and Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, which concluded that,

“The results of our study suggest that high circulating levels of vitamin D are associated with a lower risk of multiple sclerosis.”

There is also the Framingham Heart Study which was published by the journal Circulation in 2008. This study showed how a lack of vitamin D could put some people at risk for heart disease concluding that,

“Vitamin D deficiency is associated with incident cardiovascular disease. Further clinical and experimental studies may be warranted to determine whether correction of vitamin D deficiency could contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular disease.”

Your Natural Flu Shot

It is often a good idea to get a flu shot before the season runs rampant and may put you in harm’s way however vitamin D could be a good adjunct.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study in 2010 called, ‘Randomized trial of vitamin D supplementation to prevent seasonal influenza A in schoolchildren’ by Japanese researchers at the Division of Molecular Epidemiology, Jikei University School of Medicine, Nishi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo.

It was found that vitamin D3 (the recommended formula) showed significant prevention of the flu in school children during the winter months. This study is particularly important due to the fact that it concentrated on an indoor population which is often a petri dish atmosphere for viral strains to flourish.

In Vitro Allergy Prevention

If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor about vitamin D foods during pregnancy. Chances are there is an adequate amount in your pre-natal vitamin but eating vitamin D foods throughout your pregnancy show some significant results when it comes to your child’s future allergy health.

The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai published a study in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology that Science Daily reports,

“Higher intake of foods containing vitamin D during pregnancy — but not supplemental vitamin D intake — was associated with reduced risk of development of allergies in children.”

Foods high in vitamin D or often have D added include:

• Salmon
• Sardines
• Eggs
• Shrimp
• Fortified milk, cereal, yogurt and orange juice

Checking Out Too Soon

Keeping your vitamin D levels at good levels may help you live longer. 18 randomized controlled trials where studied in a report by the Archives of Internal Medicine.

It was found that taking modest levels of vitamin D (400 to 800 IU) were associated with, “a statistically significant 7 percent reduction in mortality from any cause.”

These surprising benefits of vitamin D are another example of how important it is to stay on top of the pitfalls our surrounding modern day living may present. Talk to your physician or naturopathic doctor about supplementing with vitamin D even if you spend time in the sun as you may not be absorbing much as you think.