Vitamin D: vitamin or hormone? Both things.
The properties of vitamin Din fact, they can be taken with food; at the same time, however, vitamin D acts like a hormone because it also comes produced by our body, thanks to'exposure of the skin to the sun's rays, to then pass to other parts of the body and perform their functions.
Properties of vitamin D
La vitamin D performs numerous functions, fundamental for the health of the organism; it is especially important for the intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus and for their deposition in the bones; furthermore, some researches show its importance for the prevention of some diseases.
Its properties are indispensable for the health of the skeleton in all stages of life, but they play an even more important role above all in children and the elderly. In fact, during the growth phase, vitamin D favors a correct development of the skeletal system; in the elderly, however, one vitamin D deficiency it can underlie bone loss and cause fractures.
La vitamin Dit also contributes to the health of the colon, skin, pancreas, muscles and nervous system. According to recent scientific studies, it is also very important for the immune system.
Vitamin D deficiency: symptoms, causes and nutrition
How to take vitamin D, guaranteeing the body the right amount?
La vitamin D2, of vegetable origin, it is mainly contained in yeasts, in some mushrooms such as Shiitake and in some algae; good of sources of vitamin D3 they are, on the other hand, milk and derivatives, egg yolk and cod liver oil.
Vitamin D is obtained however mainly fromexposure to sunlight; taking it with food, in fact, is not enough.
avoid shortage and providing the body with all the vitamin D it needs, is advisable expose yourself to the sun every day, for a certain period of time; for example by doing a walk or practicing outdoor sports.
Does life run too fast to take a walk every day? It is not possible, because it is enough to change a few habits: walk a stretch of the road when you go to work, take advantage of the lunch break, walk to go to do some errands ...
How long does it take to be exposed to the sun? The body's production of vitamin D is affected by skin color:
> for people with clear skin just oneexposure of about 10-15 minutes;
> people with dark skin they need a period of exposure three to six times greater (based on skin color).
The indicated time requires that they expose themselves to the sun there skin of the face and forearms; if more is discovered, the exposure period can be shortened.
benefit from all properties e filling up with vitamin D is necessary take advantage of the sunniest months; in fact, during the summer we store vitamin D also for the winter.
Obviously, however, we must find a balance between the need for vitamin D and the need to protect the skin; in summer, therefore, always and in any case the rule of avoiding exposure to the sun during the hottest hours and for too long a period of time.
It was demonstrated that staying in the sun for too long does not bring additional benefits; for example, in people with fair skin, exposure for more than 20 minutes does not guarantee a greater production of vitamin D than for 15 minutes.
As for children, national and international guidelines recommend the vitamin D supplementation in infants from the first days of life, both in those breastfed and in those fed with formulated milk.
Discover heliotherapy, the cure from the sun
To learn more:
> Vitaima D and other vitamins for spring
> What are and when are natural vitamin D supplements used
> Excess of vitamin D: symptoms, causes, nutrition
> Skin, all ailments and natural remedies