Thursday, June 12, 2014

HEALTH SPECIAL..................... Vitamin D: the sunshine vitamin



 Vitamin D: the sunshine vitamin

When the sun shines, get out and get your body to make some Vitamin D. Your bones will thank you for it.
Of all the vital nutrients our body needs, there's one that stands away from the crowd. You can't get it no matter how many green vegetables you eat or how much fibre you intake. The nutrient is manufactured by the body itself, in the presence of sunshine. The nutrient is Vitamin D and judging by how many sun-dodging Indians (some studies show that almost 80 per cent of us may be at risk, especially women) in our sunny country are being diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency, it's time to take a good look at it. 

When you're out of D
A deficiency causes weak bones, weak muscles, tiredness and skin problems as low vitamin D levels also interfere with zinc absorption. Without vitamin D, the body also cannot properly absorb calcium.
Most cases of vitamin D deficiency arise from sedentary urban lifestyles - hours spent indoors away from sun. It is connected to diseases like obesity, cardiovascular problems and muscle and bone diseases. It also causes slow nerve responses (especially when there is also a deficiency of vitamin B). In children, rickets is the result of low calcium in the bones due to calcium deficiency.

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