The benefits of vitamin D – from head to toe
The benefits of vitamin D
Is it the magic vitamin? Well, it might be close. Research in recent years has shown that vitamin D may be one of the most powerful supplements to boost your total wellness and even help promote longevity. For years, vitamin D was touted as an ace for stronger bones, shinier hair and as a potential mood-booster. But you might not be aware of the many benefits vitamin D can provide for your whole system.
Brain
When taken with fish oil, vitamin D is a powerful mood booster, according to a study published in the FASEB journal. The aptly named ‘sunshine vitamin’ improves mood and lowers depression by aiding the conversion of the essential amino acid tryptophan into serotonin – a brain chemical that regulates mood. But that’s not all! Vitamin D improves memory and cognitive functions in older women, according to a separate study published in Journals of Gerontology A. Meanwhile, previous research has found it may also have some protective effects against Alzheimer’s disease.
Eyes
Laugh lines aside, your eyes themselves undergo signs of ageing that can impair your vision. According to a study published in Neurobiology of Ageing, a daily dose of vitamin D reduced some of the effects of ageing on eyes, reduced inflammation and improved vision in mice. A second study found that it may also help prevent macular degeneration, a common eye disease that can lead to blindness if it goes untreated.
Ears
What causes vertigo, that disorienting sensation of dizziness and spinning? Vertigo may feel like your head is spinning, but the problem often stems from the structures in your inner ear that are responsible for balance. However, taking vitamin D and calcium twice a day may reduce vertigo and lower your chances of getting vertigo again, according to a study published in Neurology.
Teeth
Want stronger, whiter teeth and fewer cavities? Taking a daily vitamin D supplement may help, according to a meta-analysis published in Nutrients. Researchers analysed dozens of controlled studies with thousands of participants in several countries to find that that vitamin D was associated with a 50 per cent reduction in the incidence of tooth decay.
Gums
The same vitamin D supplement that strengthens your teeth can also help protect your gums from bacterial infections that lead to problems like gingivitis and periodontitis, according to the Nutrients study. Periodontitis, a potentially serious infection of the gum tissue, is a major cause of tooth loss and can also contribute to heart disease.
Heart
One of vitamin D’s most powerful roles is in the cardiovascular system, where there are 200 genes regulated by vitamin D. How does it work? Vitamin D may help stop cholesterol from clogging arteries, regulate blood pressure and improve the function of cells in the heart. Even better, it may also be able to help heal existing heart damage, according to research published in the International Journal of Nanomedicine.
Lungs
Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema and chronic bronchitis affect many people. While it’s not a cure, vitamin D can reduce the number of lung disease flareups by 40 per cent, a study published in The Lancet concluded. The same may be true for asthma, according to a separate study published in Cochrane Review. Researchers found that people who took a daily dose of vitamin D in addition to their asthma medication reduced the number of severe asthma attacks they experienced.
Gut
People with metabolic syndrome – increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels – are at a high risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Exercise and a healthy diet are important practices to avoid or heal the syndrome, but research has suggested vitamin D may also help. In a study published in Frontiers in Physiology, vitamin D improved signs of metabolic syndrome by boosting healthy gut bacteria in mice.
Liver
Higher vitamin D levels are linked with lower levels of cancer in general, and less liver cancer specifically, according to a BMJ study. Researchers took samples from over 33,000 adult participants and found that higher levels of the nutrient were associated with a 20 per cent reduction in cancer and a 30-50 per cent reduction in liver cancer.
Reproductive system
Both men and women show reproductive and fertility benefits from vitamin D. Female participants who had a healthy vitamin D level early in pregnancy were more likely to have a baby with a healthy weight and head size in a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Similarly, men with higher vitamin D levels had a better fertility potential, particularly through better sperm motility, say researchers in a separate study, published in World Journal of Men’s Health.
Bones
Think calcium is the best nutrient for bones? Think again. The positive effects of vitamin D on bone health are some of the most documented benefits of the nutrient. Vitamin D is essential for building and maintaining strong bones, while inadequate vitamin D can lead to osteoporosis, a brittle bone disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Knees
Your knees are one of the most-used joints in your body and often one of the first places to experience joint pain as you get older. Research has suggested the most common causes of joint pain are osteoarthritis from joint overuse or injury, and rheumatoid arthritis – an autoimmune disease that attacks joints. Vitamin D can help protect against both types of arthritis. People who maintained healthy vitamin D levels were less likely to get rheumatoid arthritis, according to a study published in Journal of Autoimmunity. Similarly, people with low vitamin D levels reported more symptoms of osteoarthritis, like knee pain and difficulty walking, according to research by the American College of Rheumatology.
Feet
Stress fractures – microfractures that often occur in small bones due to overuse – are fairly common injuries, particularly in people who participate in high impact activities, like running, or people who are significantly overweight. According to a study published in The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery, vitamin D may reduce stress fractures by helping improve bone density.
Written by Charlotte Hilton Andersen. This article first appeared in Reader’s Digest. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, here’s our best subscription offer.
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