To the naked eye, a virus is an invisible menace. But to your immune system, it’s a target. And now scientists may have found a way to turn the body’s defense mechanism against these invaders: vitamin D, also called Calciferol.
Vitamin D is most recognized for its impact on bone health. It helps the body absorb calcium, and low levels of vitamin D can lead to bone problems such as osteoporosis. But research has also shown that the vitamin may have other benefits, including reducing the risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
Respiratory Viruses!
Now it seems that vitamin D may also help protect against respiratory viruses. The new study was small—only 125 people were involved—so more research is needed to confirm these findings. But if they hold up, it could mean that taking vitamin D supplements could help reduce your risk of catching a cold this winter.
So how do you get enough Calciferol? The best way is through exposure to sunlight. Your skin produces vitamin D when it’s hit by sunlight, and you can also get some exposure from fortified foods like milk.
UV treatments?
But if your diet isn’t rich in these foods or you don’t have much exposure to the sun, doctors recommend that people take a daily supplement that contains between 600 to 800 IU of vitamin D3. Vitamin supplements are sold over-the-counter for about $10 for 100 tablets. It’s also possible to get more vitamin D through exposure to ultraviolet light at tanning parlors, but there is concern that this may increase the risk of malignant melanoma, so many dermatologists do not recommend getting UV treatments specifically for vitamin D stimulation.
However, studies have shown that regular exposure to UV light does result in an increase in Calciferol. If you are concerned about your intake, talk to your doctor. He or she can run a blood test to find out if you are deficient and follow up with appropriate screening tests.
4 Distinct Ways!
Vitamin D deficiency can manifest in four distinct ways,s each resulting in its own set of symptoms. These are:
- Rickets: where bones don’t develop properly.
- Osteomalacia, where the bones soften but do not bend.
- Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain disease that affects the entire body
- Osteoporosis is characterized by weak and brittle bones that are more prone to fracture.
There is also an upper limit for how much of the vitamin is safe to take each day—typically not more than 2000 IU per day. And too much vitamin D can cause nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, weakness, frequent urination, poor bone health, and kidney problems.
How does Vitamin D work its magic?
So while more research is needed, it seems that getting enough vitamin D may help keep you healthy this winter—and possibly help protect you from some respiratory viruses. So be sure to include plenty of vitamin D-rich foods in your diet and get outside for some sun exposure every day. Your immune system will thank you!
One of the ways Vitamin D helps keep us healthy is by boosting our immune system. It does this by activating natural killer cells, which are responsible for destroying viruses and bacteria. In fact, Calciferol may be just as effective as antiviral drugs in preventing the common cold!
Tumor suppression
But it isn’t over. Vitamin D also appears to assist in the prevention of tumors. Studies have shown that people with high levels of Vitamin D are less likely to develop cancer than those with low levels. So how can you make sure you’re getting enough Vitamin D?
There are a few ways to do this. You can get Vitamin D from food sources such as fatty fish, egg yolks, and mushrooms, or you can take a supplement. And don’t forget to get some sun! Exposure to sunlight is a major source of Vitamin D. Just be sure to avoid overexposure, which can increase your risk of skin cancer.
So if you’re looking for an all-around health boost, make sure you’re getting enough Vitamin D! It’s one supplement that’s definitely worth your time and money.
Let’s Wrap up, Calciferol is a powerful player in our immune system, and by understanding it better we can make more informed decisions about how to protect ourselves from respiratory viruses. It’s time for us all to take the steps necessary to ensure that we are getting enough vitamin D each day-both through diet or supplements. If you’re interested in learning more about what your body needs for optimal health, contact us! Our team of experts can help you figure out which approach will work best for you and your family. We’ll give careful consideration not only to what would be most beneficial but also least costly while still producing desired outcomes.