Like other vitamins that are important for one’s health, Vitamin D provides many health benefits. Along with fighting against disease, the vitamin helps boost an individual’s calcium level and strengthens bones. It can also boost one’s mental awareness.
The following is a list of facts about Vitamin D that are not commonly known:
Many people do not know that mushrooms are a great source. Many people know that the vitamin can be found in foods such as oily fish and cereal. It is not commonly known, however, that Vitamin D can be found in mushrooms. Mushrooms are actually a great source and are worth eating along with the previously mentioned foods for their health benefits.
An insufficient amount could cause Rickets and Osteomalacia. Vitamin D can help fight numerous diseases that affect millions of people. One disease that is linked to an insufficient amount is heart disease. Some of the other notable diseases that a lack of Vitamin D could cause against are rickets and osteomalacia. For those who are unfamiliar with the two diseases, rickets is a disease that can cause children to have weak bones; osteomalacia is the same disease but affects adults.
Vitamin D can help fight against certain types of cancers. Having a strong amount of Vitamin D in one’s diet is important because the vitamin can prevent certain types of cancer. For instance, the vitamin can prevent breast cancer. It can also prevent colon cancer and prostate cancer. Thus, for those people who are at risk for these types of cancer, having the recommended daily dose is very important.
Roughly one billion people in the world need more. Another fact about Vitamin D that many people do not know is that approximately one billion people need more of the vitamin on a daily basis. An estimated amount of 70 percent of children and adults should consume more of the vitamin.
Sunlight provides a good amount. Along with taking in Vitamin D from a rich diet of vitamins and minerals, absorbing sunlight for a short duration each day can bring in the important vitamin. In fact, 15 minutes of relaxing under the sun can help people boost their Vitamin D levels. It needs to be noted that everyone should take caution while taking in sun exposure, and that sunblock should be used while outside, especially during the summer months.
Sources:
Daniel J. DeNoon, “The Truth About Vitamin D,” Web MD.
Ella Quittner, “12 Ways to Get Your Daily Vitamin D,” Yahoo! Health.
“Vitamin D – QuickFacts,” National Institutes of Health.
