You most likely have had someone in your life recommend Vitamin D. But what is so great about that vitamin?
Well, virtually every cell in the human body has a Vitamin D receptor. Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption in the intestine to protect against osteoporosis. It also regulates your immune function. Vitamin D promotes cell growth and supports your mood.
If that is not enough reason to want to have sufficient Vitamin D levels, some of the risks of having insufficient levels of Vitamin D include increased risk of heart attack, cancer, diabetes, asthma and other autoimmune diseases. Now this list is not meant to scare you, it is meant to empower you to get your Vitamin D levels checked to make sure you are not at risk. Your primary care physician can check this for you.
Knowing how important this vitamin is, where do we get it?
The best source of Vitamin D is always SUNLIGHT! This is the form that your body absorbs the best and there are numerous additional benefits to getting natural sunlight. Living in the Midwest, you know that natural sunlight can be scarce. Other sources including fatty fish, (like tuna, salmon, etc.) egg yolks and beef liver which contain high amounts of Vitamin D can help. If eating more of those foods is not enough to get you to a healthy level, you can use a Vitamin D supplement. A high-quality, bio-available (meaning your body can absorb it) Vitamin D supplement can help your reach sufficient Vitamin D levels when your diet/sunlight exposure are lacking.
Ask about Vitamin D at your next appointment !
Schedule on patient portal or call (612) 562-6694.
Be well.
