Welcome back! Since our last newsletter, Summer has officially begun - we hope you're basking in all the Vitamin D from the Sun - safely of course! Remember to stay hydrated ☀
In fact it is the weather which inspired us here at Get Body Back to discuss Vitamin D in more detail. We'll be talking about the multitude of benefits it can have - as if you needed more of a reason to take advantage of the weather and fresh air this Summer!
{Vitamin D3}
d e f i n i t i o n :
Both a NUTRIENT that can be obtained from certain foods, and
a HORMONE produced by the body. It is fat-soluble. The best sources of Vitamin D from food are: FLESH OF FATTY FISH 🐟, FISH LIVER OILS 🐟, and smaller amounts are found in EGG YOLKS 🍳, CHEESE 🧀, AND BEEF LIVER 🍔. HOWEVER, the amounts this vitamin tend to be small, so many people choose to supplement instead, with two common forms: Vitamin D2 (“ergocalciferol”) & Vitamin D3 (“cholecalciferol”).
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
Primarily, it helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphorus in the body, both of which are essential for healthy bones 🦴, teeth and muscles 💪. However, it also has other benefits:
☀ Supports good immune function
☀ May reduce risk of autoimmune diseases (diabetes, asthma & rheumatoid arthritis)
☀ Positive effect on the immune response of cells
☀ Maintains normal cell division
☀ Maintains normal immune function, muscle function 💪
☀ A deficiency in children can cause rickets, and osteomalacia in adults (poor bone density & muscular weakness) 🦴
☀ A long-term vitamin D deficiency can also result in osteoporosis
It's worth mentioning that for the best results, it is recommended to supplement with both Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K2 MK-7 simultaneously 😊
P R E C A U T I O N S :
⚠ Taking too many Vitamin D supplements over a long period of time can cause too much calcium to build up in the body (hypercalcaemia), which can weaken the bones, damage the kidneys and the heart.
⚠ The most common symptoms of excessive vitamin D include headaches and nausea, but: loss of appetite, dry mouth, a metallic taste, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea may also occur.
⚠ The National Institutes of Health reports that Vitamin D toxicity is unlikely at intakes under 10,000 IU per day, but you should consult your doctor if you are unsure which dosage is correct for you.
You can read our full Facebook post on this topic by clicking HERE