Importance of Vitamin D: Key Insights from a Nutritionist You Should Know
Vitamin D is popularly known as the sunshine vitamin, responsible for maintaining many aspects of health. The best source of this vitamin is sunlight, but this vital nutrient promises much more than strong bones. So, nutritionist Anjali Mukerjee recently enlightened the audience about why Vitamin D is important and what benefits are derived from maintaining appropriate levels for supporting immunity, mood, and overall well-being.
Importance of Vitamin D: Insights on Deficiency and Health Benefits
Anjali Mukerjee says that Vitamin D is not just a nutrient; it is also a "powerful hormone" playing a role in many directions in the body. It enhances immunity, it affects mood, and it increases the absorption of calcium, which is necessary for preventing osteoporosis and ensuring optimal bone health. Vitamin D also assists the body in reducing inflammation and further building up the body's arsenal to fight infections. To reap these benefits, Vitamin D levels should be adequate, at between 40–60 ng/ml.
Identification of Deficiency Levels
You could only know your Vitamin D levels if there's a blood test. Mukerjee, on this article about Vitamin D, shared a helpful chart on how to interpret the levels: Less than 10 ng/ml: Severely deficient. Less than 20 ng/ml: Deficient. Between 20-30 ng/ml: Insufficient. Between 30-100 ng/ml: Sufficient. More than 100 ng/ml: High.
Toxic: More than 150 ng/ml
Monitoring should be carried out regularly since a deficiency, especially in cases where symptoms are experienced such as tiredness, mood changes, and weakened immunity, requires necessary correction.
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Level Maintenance
Mukerjee suggests an optimal amount as needed to maintain high Vitamin D levels. Direct exposure to sunlight is probably the best natural way of getting Vitamin D. Natural food sources include fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified milk/dairy products. Supplements may be advised to people whose deficiencies are severe, but Mukerjee stresses that such a practice should only be done under the supervision of a doctor.
Raise Awareness
Anjali Mukerjee thanks Dr. Renu Mehtani for the key awareness messages on Vitamin D's role in health. Combine practical strategies with medical input, and you will be able to maintain your optimum levels of Vitamin D for optimal benefits.
Ensure your body reaps the full advantages of this powerful vitamin by prioritizing regular checks and balancing lifestyle.
