Vitamin D Benefits, Uses & Side Effects

The human body may naturally produce vitamin D but it’s still extremely critical in maintaining overall health. This fat-soluble vitamin is important for many important metabolic processes in the body. This informative article will tell you all about vitamin d benefits, uses, and its possible side effects. So, read on to learn!

Table of Contents

14 Vitamin D Benefits

Vitamin D is a critical nutrient that is required by the body. With adequate sunlight and healthy food, you can fulfill your daily requirement of it. Let’s dive deep, and understand its effects on the body and why it’s so important for good health.

1. Stronger Muscles

The benefits of taking vitamin d include stronger and leaner muscle growth. Vitamin D’s nuclear receptor attached to the skeletal muscles accelerates genetic pathways to increase myocyte (muscle cell) proliferation and growth.

2. Liftens Up Your Mood!

An adequate supply of vitamin D in the body ensures that your mood stays stable. Wondering why? It’s because vitamin D regulates the secretion of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is critical for mood & cognition. Therefore, if you want to stay in a better mood then make sure to have enough vitamin D!

3. Prevents Harmful Inflammation

This fat-soluble vitamin is crucial in combating inflammation in the body. Vitamin D directly influences the activity of killer T cells. Therefore, it mediates the inflammation in the body.

4. Vitamin D Benefits for Weight Loss!

Let’s talk about vitamin d weight loss. Vitamin D initiates weight loss by increasing the secretion of serotonin & testosterone in the body. These hormones influence the fat storage and formation of adipose tissues ( fat tissues), thereby contributing to fat loss in the long run.

Note – Consuming approximately 4,000 IU of Vitamin D may aid in weight loss.

5. Improved Male Fertility

Vitamin d benefits for men for include improved fertility. Actively consuming vitamin D can help increase the secretion of testosterone in men. Testosterone is the primary hormone in men, therefore it results in better health in men.

6. Vitamin D Advantages for Hair!

If you wonder if vitamin d is good for hair, then you’re on the right track! This essential nutrient plays a critical role in hair follicle growth & development. Therefore, it can support hair growth and regrowth. So, if you’re suffering from hair issues, then make sure to get plenty of vitamin D daily!

Note – Experts recommend taking 15 mcg/600 IU of Vitamin D daily for hair growth.

7. It Ensures Healthy Pregnancy

Yes, vitamin D is also needed during pregnancy. This fat-soluble vitamin plays an important role in fetal bone & muscle development. Therefore, it is best for pregnant women to take adequate amounts of vitamin D through diet and sunlight.

Also Read:- Pregnancy Foods: Food To Eat And Avoid During Pregnancy

Note – For pregnant women, daily doses of 4000 units of Vitamin D per day are ideal.

8. Makes Heart Healthier!

The health benefits of vitamin d include better heart health. Vitamin D can regulate the blood pressure in the body. This ultimately can reduce the chances of contracting serious cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, it is extremely beneficial for a healthier heart! ‘

Note – Heart patients should take 00–600 IU of vitamin D daily to regulate their blood pressure levels.

9. Reduces The Risk Of Bone Diseases

Due to estrogen, women have less bone density. This causes severe bone problems as they age. Vitamin D is essential in maintaining healthier, stronger bones in women. It directly supports bones & muscles development. Furthermore, it increases testosterone in the body, which further strengthens the bones.

Note –

The recommended daily amount of Vitmaind D for Women aged 14 to 70 is 600 IU per day.
Women older than 70 should get 800 IU of vitamin D per day.

10. Health Benefits To Diabetic People!

While the heading might be ironic, it is true that Vitamin D can be extremely beneficial for diabetic folks! This fat-soluble nutrient increases the sensitivity to insulin in the body, this is crucial to regulating blood sugar levels in the body. Thus, if you suffer from diabetes it is best to take the appropriate amount of this healthy nutrient!

Note – For diabetic people, it is safe to consume 1,000 to 2,000 IUs of Vitamin D per day for better health.

11. Vitamin D Good for Skin

Vitamin d benefits skin are countless! Getting sufficient amounts of vitamin D in the body can prevent the skin from premature skin aging. Furthermore, some studies also suggest that it can also treat other skin problems like eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, etc.

Tip – Get an adequate amount of sunlight every day for better skin!

12. Get Stronger Immunity!

Vitamin d immunity is a topic that shouldn’t be left untouched. This indispensable vitamin influences the functioning of T cells and B cells (immune cells). It plays an indispensable part in cell-mediated immunity. Therefore having an adequate vitamin D supply is important for better immunity.

13. Better Oral Health

Vitamin D is important for calcium absorption in the body. Calcium is critical for gum & teeth development. Therefore vitamin D is essential for better oral health. So, thanks to vitamin D you get shiner teeth!

14. Critical Role In Calcium Absorption

Vitamin D plays a key role in calcium absorption by parathyroid glands. With sufficient vitamin D in the body, the parathyroid glands absorb calcium, which aids in bone development and maintenance. Therefore, both vitamin D and calcium are essential for bone development.

Vitamin D Uses

Vitamin D is necessary for health. Therefore, it is natural that it might have plenty of uses. Let’s have a brief look at some of the uses of vitamin D.

1. Treatment Of Depression

Since vitamin D encourages the secretion of serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for mood regulation in the brain. Vitamin D supplements are given to patients with depression for treating mood disorders.

2. To Treat Hypoactive (Underactive) Parathyroid

The parathyroid gland is necessary to control the levels of calcium in the bloodstream. Vitamin D activates the functioning of parathyroid glands to work properly.

3. Treatment Of Bone Issues With Kidney Disease

A special form of vitamin D, called calcitriol can help lower the levels of calcium in the body. It is usually effective when taken by mouth. It ultimately prevents bones loss and helps flush out excess calcium from the body.

4. Used For Curing Rickets In Children

Rickets is caused by a deficiency of vitamin D in young children. It causes weak bone and bone deformities. Taking ample amounts of vitamin D can help cure rickets.

5. Treatment Of Plaque-Type Psoriasis.

Application of vitamin D with corticosteroids has been seen to effectively treat Plaque-Type Psoriasis of the skin. FOr better results, it should be applied to the skin directly.

Vitamin D Side Effects

No doubt that vitamin D is crucial for the development of the body. Sadly, too much of a good thing can be detrimental. It is also true in the case of Vitamin D toxicity. Taking an inappropriate amount of vitamin D can cause more harm than good. Let’s understand more about the possible side effects of Vitamin D.

1. Brittle Bones & Bone Pain

One of the major side effects of vitamin d deficiency is the lack of calcium in the body. Low amounts of vitamin D in the body result in low absorption of calcium, this ultimately results in stunted development of bones or severe bone pain.

2. Rickets In Children

Severely low levels of vitamin D deficiency can cause a nutritional deficiency in children Vitamin D deficiency is called a ticket. It is characterized by poor bone growth, stunted height, or bone deformities.

3. May Cause Kidney Damage

The excess of vitamin D in the body also results in too much calcium deposit in the body. Calcium and phosphate together form crystals that may get deposited in the kidneys and may cause kidney damage in the long run.

4. Uncontrolled Anxiety And Stress

Anxiety is one of the most common side effects of too much vitamin d. Unbridled amounts of vitamin D in the body disrupt serotonin production in the brain, leading to anxiety and stress. Therefore, it is best to keep a check on your vitamin D intake.

5. Severe Lung Problems

Excess vitamin D results in excess absorption of calcium in the body. High levels of calcium & phosphate in the blood get crystalized and can get deposited in lung tissues. This may result in serious beating problems, coughing, and chest pains.

6. Irregular Blood Pressure And Heart Beat

Vitamin D is essential for calcium. Calcium is necessary for maintaining regular heart rhythm and blood pressure. Inappropriate amounts of vitamin D therefore might cause issues with blood pressure and heart rhythm.

7. Muscle Weakness And Muscle Cramps

Both vitamin D and calcium are critical in muscle development and maintenance. Therefore, experts recommend having a balanced diet that supplies appropriate vitamin D and calcium to the body.

Conclusion

Vitamin D is an essential fat-soluble vitamin that is made naturally by the body. Moreover, It is also available in the form of supplements. It is necessary for proper muscle & bone development, mood regulation, weight loss, etc. Unfortunately, an unconstrained amount of vitamin D may cause side effects like lung issues, anxiety, or kidney damage. Thus, it is best to take vitamin D in appropriate amounts.