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What Does Vitamin D Do For Your Body

Why Should I Consult My Doctor Before Starting Supplements

What Vitamin D Can Do For Your Health

If you think you are at risk, talk to your doctor before taking supplements. Taking supplements under the care and advice of your doctor helps ensure you are getting the full benefit of a supplement. It also minimises the potential for harm that can occur from taking too much of a vitamin or from interactions between supplements and/or medications.

Can You Have Too Much Vitamin D

It is rare to have toxic levels of vitamin D, but it can happen if you take high levels of vitamin D supplements over a long period of time. If you do this, there is some evidence this will have adverse effects, such as headaches and gastrointestinal disturbance, kidney stones, kidney failure and cardiac arrhythmia. For this reason, you should only take vitamin D as recommended and prescribed by a doctor.

Vitamin D Can Help Treat Hypertension

According to a 2019 review published in the journal Current Protein & Peptide Science suggests that vitamin D may play a role in treatment of high blood pressureone of the markers of cardiovascular diseasesays Newgent. According to authors of the review, even short-term vitamin D deficiency may directly raise BP and promote target organ damage. The researchers went on to add that, “due to the high correlation between vitamin D and hypertension, vitamin D supplementation therapy may be a new insight in the treatment of hypertension.”

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What Are The Benefits Of Taking A Vitamin D Supplement

The government says around 25% of teenagers and adults in the UK have low levels of vitamin D, which puts them at risk.

As there are so few food sources of vitamin D, and sun exposure can be unreliable, supplements are considered a safe way to prevent a deficiency.10

A 2013 review of evidence concluded that a vitamin D supplement could help protect against coughs and colds, while a separate 2013 study reported that women with lower levels of vitamin D experience tiredness and low energy.11,12

With so many factors putting us at risk of low levels, it makes sense to look at ways to supplement.

Some foods are fortified with Vitamin D, although you need to be sure it is Vitamin D3 and not just Vitamin D2.

Cod liver oil is a good source of Vitamin D supplementation .

A quality Vitamin D3 or wide-spectrum Vitamin D supplement is a sensible way to keep your daily levels topped up.

The most helpful aspect of taking any trustworthy health supplement is peace of mind. Just one little tablet or capsule per day and you can carry on knowing that you have covered your health bases.

With Vitamin D, you will be protecting your bone health, supporting your immune system, and helping your body build and maintain cells. That is why Vitamin D is one of the most important supplements you can take.

How Is Osteoporosis Diagnosed

Vitamin D deficiency in Australia

Your healthcare provider can order a test to give you information about your bone health before problems begin. Bone mineral density tests are also known as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans. These X-rays use very small amounts of radiation to determine how solid the bones of the spine, hip or wrist are. Regular X-rays will only show osteoporosis when the disease is very far along.

All women over the age of 65 should have a bone density test. The DEXA scan may be done earlier for women who have risk factors for osteoporosis. Men over age 70, or younger men with risk factors, should also consider getting a bone density test.

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Foods Naturally High In Vitamin D

While there are a handful of foods fortified with vitamin D, few foods contain vitamin D naturally. Those that do are usually animal-based.

Based on the numbers above, you can consume the RDA of vitamin D by eating about 4 ounces of salmon, 13 eggs or a little over ½ a tablespoon of cod liver oil.

If you follow a vegan diet, getting vitamin D from food is going to be more difficult than if you eat animal products. So, in addition to making sure youre getting mushrooms in your diet, look for fortified plant-based milks and talk with your doctor or registered dietitian nutritionist about taking a supplement, experts suggest.

Why Is A High Calorie High Fat Diet Needed For People With Cystic Fibrosis

Children and adults with cystic fibrosis have nutritional needs that are different than what would normally be recommended for children and adults without cystic fibrosis. Children and adults may need one and one-half to two times the number of calories as people without CF. More calories are needed because it takes more energy for a person with CF to breathe, fight lung infections and maintain a strong body than a person without CF.

More calories and fats are also needed because the CF prevents the pancreass digestive enzymes from fully working as they should, resulting in nutrients and fats from foods not being fully absorbed by the intestines. Although the enzyme capsules that are taken before all meals and snacks helps digest fats, proteins, and starches, a certain amount of nutrients and fats dont get absorbed. If not enough fats are being absorbed, then fat-soluable vitamins arent being fully absorbed and these vitamins are needed to protect the lungs.

Salt intake. Another common misbelief is that salt is unhealthy for all people. This is not the case for children and adults with CF. People with CF lose a lot of salt in their sweat. Although there is not a set standard, doctors generally advise people with CF to eat salty foods especially during hot, humid weather and when they exercise. Also, to add salt to meals and snacks as desired. Ask your doctor or dietician about the amount of salt you need each day.

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What Is Vitamin D2 Good For

It is no secret that vitamin D is an essential nutrient that the body needs to function properly.

What a lot of people dont know is that it is not just a single component. Instead, vitamin D is actually a family of nutrients that manifest in different forms.

The most common forms of vitamin D are vitamins D2 and D3. Each has its own benefits, but it is vitamin D2 that were particularly interested in. What is vitamin D2 good for?

Vegan Vitamin D Capsules

How Vitamin D Works

Capsules are what most people imagine of when thinking of vitamin supplements. Alas, many vitamin D tablets and capsules contain a non-vegan source of vitamin D3, such as sheep lanolin or fish oils.

Dont worry though, we have a solution! Our Mushroom Vegan Vitamin D Capsules contain 25µg of vitamin D2 in each capsule and you only have to take one a day.

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Vitamin D Affects How Your Body Responds To Inflammation And Pain

Our study also found that patients who had pain, including a type of knee pain known as patellofemoral-related pain frequently called runner’s knee often had low levels of vitamin D. We believe that vitamin D acts on hormones called prostaglandins, which control how the body responds to injury. Prostaglandins are connected to both inflammation and pain receptors.

How Vitamin D Deficiency Affects The Body

Of the 13 essential vitamins, vitamin D might be one of the most unique.

It’s one of the few vitamins your body can produce itself. Well, almost by itself. It needs a little help from the sun hence why it’s often referred to as the “sunshine” vitamin. You can also get vitamin D through your diet.

But when you aren’t making or getting enough of it, you might feel the effects of low vitamin D.

“Vitamin D deficiency has become increasingly common over the last decade or so. And this is concerning since a deficiency in vitamin D can have lasting effects on a person’s health and wellness,” says Dr. Donald Brown, primary care practitioner at Houston Methodist.

Left untreated, vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteoporosis in adults, rickets in children and adverse outcomes in pregnant women. It may also be linked to heart disease, diabetes and cancer although more study is needed on the topic.

And while a little bit of sunshine may sound like the simple answer to making sure you’re getting enough vitamin D every day, be warned. It’s a bit more complicated than that.

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What Is Vitamin D3

Looking to get more of the sunshine vitamin benefits? Not getting enough sun? Not eating enough vitamin D-rich foods? Think you can stand to get a little bit more to support your health?

Very good! Vitamin D is essential to your overall health and making sure you get enough is paramount to your well-being. Before you get started, it is important to know that there are different types of vitamin D: vitamin D3 and vitamin D2.

Vitamin D3, also known by its other alias cholecalciferol, is vitamin D in its natural formthe kind produced in your body as it absorbs sunlight. However, recent studies are beginning to find that vitamin D2 may be as effective as vitamin D3.

Whichever form of vitamin D you choose to take, make sure you get enough so you can enjoy healthy teeth and bones while protecting yourself from disease.

If You Take Any Group Of Patients With Almost Any Disease Their Vitamin D Levels Will Be Lower Than In A Healthy Individual Ian Reid

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Ian Reid, professor in medicine at the University of Auckland, believes that diseases cause low vitamin D levels, as being unwell often leads to spending less time outdoors exposed to sunlight, rather than vice versa. If you take any group of patients with almost any disease, their vitamin D levels will be lower than in a healthy individual. This has led some to hypothesise its low vitamin D developing the disease, but theres no evidence to prove it, he says.

Some experts believe people who are unwell have low vitamin D levels because they spend less time outdoors, not that their low levels cause health problems

Researchers have found that higher vitamin D levels are associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer it plays a role in stemming the formation of new blood vessels and stimulating better communication between cells. Vitamin D also has been found to help maintain normal levels of calcium in the colon, which slows growth of non-cancerous but high-risk cells.

Other studies, including of the link between vitamin D and liver cancer,breast cancer and prostate cancer, suggest there is good reason to think that low vitamin D plays a part in the spread of cancer cells. But taking supplements would then, surely, help stave off cancer and a recent meta-analysis failed to find that supplementation reduced cancer risk.

D for depression

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The Takeaway On Vitamin D And Your Health

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that can help fortify bones and keep them strong while also potentially lowering the risk of cancer and death from cancer for some individuals. But its other effects needs to be further investigated before scientists, doctors, and everyone else can make informed decisions about supplementing or upping dietary intake of the vitamin.

Until then, take steps to get your recommended daily amount of the nutrient through food, supplements, and sunlight . If you suspect that you have a vitamin D deficiency, talk to your doctor about getting a blood test to check if your level is adequate.

Additional reporting by Melinda Carstensen.

Why Do I Need Vitamin D And How Do I Get It

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. Calcium is one of the main building blocks of bone. Vitamin D also has a role in your nervous, muscle, and immune systems.

You can get vitamin D in three ways: through your skin, from your diet, and from supplements. Your body forms vitamin D naturally after exposure to sunlight. But too much sun exposure can lead to skin aging and skin cancer, so many people try to get their vitamin D from other sources.

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What Can You Do If You Are Living With Osteoporosis

If you have osteoporosis, you should continue with the lifestyle measures mentioned earlier in terms of eating well, getting enough exercise, avoiding excessive caffeine and alcohol consumption, and not smoking. Make sure that you follow the suggestions of your healthcare provider.You should do all that you can to prevent falls inside and outside of your home. You might want to start with a medical evaluation, which could lead to your healthcare provider providing assistive devices.

Prevent falls inside your home

  • Keep your floors free of clutter, including throw rugs and loose wires and cords. Use only non-skid items if you have mats, carpets or area rugs.
  • Make sure your lighting is bright enough so that you can see well.
  • Do not use cleaners that leave your floors slippery.
  • Clean up any spills that happen immediately.
  • Use grab bars in the bathroom and railings on stairways.

Prevent falls outside your home

  • Make sure lighting is adequate in all areas outside your home.
  • Use a backpack or other type of bag that leaves your hands free.
  • Keep areas outside in good repair and free of clutter.
  • Wear sensible shoes with non-slip bottoms.

This is in no way a complete list of things that you can do to help prevent falls, but this is a starting point. Also remember to take your time. You might be less careful if you are in a hurry.

What Is The Prognosis For Patients Who Have Cystic Fibrosis

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There is no cure for CF and it cannot be prevented. However, new treatment methods help children who have CF live well into adulthood and have a better quality of life. Advances in the treatment of CF have increased the expected age of a patients survival, from the mid-teens in the 1970s to more than 36 years old currently.

Therapies are most helpful when CF is diagnosed early, which is why newborn screening is so important. These therapies include treating infections, helping to prevent weight loss, and being seen frequently by a CF specialist. These young patients can thus begin receiving the earliest, most up-to-date and aggressive therapy. The addition of CFTR modulator therapy at a young age seems to be very beneficial and may improve long-term health.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 06/13/2019.

References

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Who Is At Risk For Developing Osteoporosis

There are many risk factors that increase your chance of developing osteoporosis, with two of the most significant being gender and age.

Everyones risk for osteoporosis fractures increases with age. However, women over the age of 50 or postmenopausal women have the greatest risk of developing osteoporosis. Women undergo rapid bone loss in the first 10 years after entering menopause, because menopause slows the production of estrogen, a hormone that protects against excessive bone loss.

Age and osteoporosis affect men also. You might be surprised to know that men over the age of 50 are more likely to have an osteoporosis-induced bone break than to get prostate cancer. About 80,000 men per year are expected to break a hip, and men are more likely than women to die in the year after a hip fracture.

Your risk of developing osteoporosis is also linked to ethnicity. Caucasian and Asian women are more likely to develop osteoporosis. However, African-American and Hispanic women are still at risk. In fact, African-American women are more likely than white women to die after a hip fracture.

Another factor is bone structure and body weight. Petite and thin people have a greater risk of developing osteoporosis because they have less bone to lose than people with more body weight and larger frames.

Why Do Doctors Prescribe Vitamin D2 Instead Of D3

Even though they’re equally effective in addressing vitamin D deficiency, as mentioned, vitamin D2 is still the form used in prescriptions.

In that case, why do doctors prescribe vitamin D2 instead of D3?

The reason is that it is ergocalciferol that helps in treating hypoparathyroidism, hypophosphatemia, and rickets, which is a bone condition caused by vitamin D deficiency.

Simply put, vitamin D2 is the form that has therapeutic value, compared with vitamin D3 that is indicated as a supplement.

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How Is Vitamin D Different From Other Nutrients

To get a better understanding of vitamin D and scientists long-held fascination with its functions, it’s first good to know that not all vitamins and minerals operate in the body alike.

We’re discovering that vitamin D behaves much less like a vitamin and much more like a hormone, says Robin Foroutan, RDN, an integrative dietitian at the Morrison Center in New York City and a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. That means vitamin D acts as a messenger rather than a participant in metabolism, potentially affecting everything from weight to how organs function.

What Causes Cystic Fibrosis

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CF is passed through the CFTR genes. People who have CF inherit two faulty genes, one from each parent. The parents do not have to have CF in fact, many families do not have a family history of CF. In this case, the person with the faulty gene is called the carrier. About one in 31 people in the United States is a carrier who is free of CF symptoms.

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