Vitamin D
Vitamin D
Vitamin D facts
- Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin
- Vitamin D is a hormone
- Vitamin D is also known as cacitrol
- The best source of vitamin D is from direct sunshine
- The sunshine form of vitamin D is called cholecalciferol
- The plant form of vitamin D is called vitamin D2 or ergosterol
- Cod liver oil is the richest food source of vitamin D
- Many tissues stored vitamin D not just the fatty tissues
- Adequate vitamin D prevents death from all causes
Vitamin D is one of the fat-soluble vitamins, which means that some fat is required in the diet in order for the body to be able to absorb and utilise this amazing vitamin properly.
Vitamin D is classified as a hormone, as it has steroid hormone-like effects in the body. It is a hormone involved in mineral metabolism and bone growth.
The best source of vitamin D, called cholecalciferol, comes from direct sunshine on the face, arms and legs. Current recommendations for sun exposure are for people to be in direct sunlight on exposed skin (no sunscreen) on the face, legs and arms, for about 10-20 minutes every day in the part of the day when the sun is the least strongest (before 11am and after 4pm). As the sun is the best source of vitamin D, it is imperative that people get enough sunshine every day (or most days) because it is so important for overall health.
The plant form of vitamin D, called ergosterol, is found in various plants and plant oils. It is also found in cod liver oil in abundance. This form of vitamin D does not need to be converted by the liver (and the kidneys) into the active form of vitamin D that can then be used by the body for various metabolic purposes.
In fact, it is well known that people who live in climates which do not get much sunlight, have a higher incidence of both colon and breast cancer. There is a connection between risk for colon and breast cancer and low sunshine exposure.
Vitamin D is an extremely important nutrient, recent studies have determined that getting enough vitamin D in the diet is a major factor in preventing mortality from all disease causes and increasing life expectancy. This is a very strong statement about the potency and importance of vitamin D.
