Vitamin D is one of the many things that our body needs to function properly on a day-to-day basis. In fact, vitamin D has been known to help the body absorb things like calcium, build stronger bones, and remain in a healthy state. If a person lacks, vitamin D, his or her body will start to develop fragile bones, joint pain, and muscle weakness. In the most extreme cases, individuals can start to develop chronic illnesses like heart disease and experience depression.
The Role Vitamin D Plays in Our Health
Even though vitamin D is such a crucial part of our health, there are a number of people in the U.S. who don’t get enough of it—for countless reasons. The majority of the population get their vitamin D from the sun. However, since sunscreen is becoming more prevalent in our world today and people are spending less time outside, our body’s performance levels are slowly declining.
Not a big deal, right? Wrong. This puts us at greater risk of health issues and could lead to unwanted diseases later on down the road. Investing in your health is one of the best choices you can make. Vitamin D is free, and the best way to get it is by going outside for some sunlight. Consider making your backyard a self-sustainable haven where you can relax and absorb some nutrients. Even if you’re not a homeowner, you can still get some of that all-natural Vitamin D. Consider visiting a local park or taking a morning walk to greet the sun.
The amount of vitamin D your body receives depends on certain factors. Things like the time of day, year, and length of time spent outside all play an important role. During the winter months, for example, there’s usually less sunlight outside. On the other hand, the summer months produce greater chance of individuals getting too much sunlight, which also isn’t good for us. The amount of clouds in the sky, air pollution, and human population also play a factor in your skin’s health.
This is why researchers recommend monitoring how much time you spend in the sun. That’s because if you spend too much time in the sun, then UV rays can penetrate your inner skin. As a result, this can promote the growth of cancerous cells and eventually tumors, which can be heartbreaking for family members and loved ones to hear. Cancer is never an easy subject to discuss, especially when children are involved. Sometimes explaining this illness to them can be one of the hardest things to do and can leave an everlasting impact on them.
Another thing we can change is our diet. The best way to get the right amount of vitamin D is to put the right kind of nutrients in your body. When the body doesn’t receive enough vitamin D, then you’ll start to feel hungry all the time; no matter how many calories you consume, it’ll never feel like enough. Why does this happen? Well, because low levels of vitamin D can interfere with our leptin hormone: a hormone designed to tell the body when it’s full and to stop eating. Luckily, all you need to do to fix this problem is replenish your vitamin D level and get everything back to normal. Only then will your body’s hormones be restored, creating a feeling of satisfaction.
How Much Vitamin D Does the Body Need?
Sadly, there isn’t an easy answer to this question. That’s because it all comes down to the environment, the person, and lifestyle choices. People with limited sun exposure, for instance, are less likely to obtain the right amount of vitamin D. This could be due to the weather, the region they live in, their religious practices that require certain clothing, or limited outside activity.
People with darker skin have to be careful as well since they have more heavily pigmented skin, their bodies may have a harder time producing vitamin D. Children and infants also have special concerns. After all, their bodies aren’t fully developed and, in some cases, they’re still nursing.
If you would still like to know the exact amount of vitamin D that’s right for your body, then it might be best to consider getting blood work done, according to the American Academy of Clinical Endocrinologists. That way, you’ll know the exact amount of vitamin D needed for your body based on your results.
For older people, a vitamin D supplement can be a great way to get your body the amount it needs. Typically, the supplement should range anywhere from 800 to 2000 IU daily. The best part: This can be obtained without getting a prescription from your doctor. Nevertheless, it’s always best to speak with your physician if you have concerns.
