Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin in a family of compounds. Getting enough of this vitamin is crucial because it helps the growth and development of your bones and teeth, as well as improving your body’s resistance against a number of diseases. If your health care provider fears you are not getting enough of the crucial vitamin, there are many ways you can add it to your body. Here are 4 benefits of taking a daily vitamin D supplement:
1. Enhances Ability to Fight Disease
In addition to its main benefits, vitamin D has been proven to help your body fight against diseases. Studies have shown that taking an extra vitamin D supplement can keep your body healthy and may prevent you from the risk of multiple diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), heart disease, flu and COVID-19, and autoimmune diseases. Low vitamin D levels have been linked to a number of heart-related issues, including hypertension, heart failure, and stroke. In addition, vitamin D can protect against common issues such as rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes.
2. Helps Regulate Mood and Reduce Depression
Now that you know about some of the physical ways vitamin D can aid your body, let’s look at some of the mental benefits. Research has shown that vitamin D might play an important role in regulating mood and can even decrease the risk of depression. A review of over 7,000 individuals found that those experiencing negative emotions that were given a vitamin D supplement showed an improvement in symptoms. In addition to depression, getting enough vitamin D can help with other mental ailments, such as anxiety, constant fear and worry, and severe fibromyalgia.
3. Helps Support Weight Loss
People with a higher body weight tend to have a greater risk of vitamin D deficiency. In one study, people with obesity who received a vitamin D supplement in addition to a typical weight loss program lost more weight and fat mass than those who were placed in a placebo group. While there has been little research done about vitamin D as a cure for weight loss, there appears to be a relationship between vitamin D levels and weight. This could also have a lot to do with diet, as the highest levels of vitamin D are typically found in healthier foods, such as salmon, egg yolks, oatmeal, and yogurt.
4. Aids Other Vitamin D Deficiency Factors
When you are dealing with a vitamin D deficiency, it can be hard to solve because there are a ton of factors that can contribute to it. As you probably know, the largest volume of vitamin D comes from sunlight. Therefore, if you live in an area with higher pollution or in a bigger city where tall buildings block the sunlight, you may be more prone to a deficiency. Also, those who have to use more sunscreen or have a darker skin tone will naturally have less vitamin D absorbed into their skin. It’s always a good idea to get outside when you can, but there are plenty of other ways for your body to get the necessary amount of vitamin D.
Are you looking for ways to improve your daily life? Contact our pharmacy today to learn more about the benefits of taking a vitamin D supplement and all our other products!