The main health benefits of vitamin D are:
strong bones and muscles
Vitamin D helps regulate calcium and phosphate in the body, which is key to bone and muscle health. People who are deficient in it are at increased risk of developing osteoporosis, a condition in which bones become weak and brittle. Remember that teeth are also bones. With enough nutrients, your teeth will also be strong.
That said, healthy middle-aged and older adults who are not deficient in vitamin D do not necessarily benefit from supplements, especially when it comes to minimizing fracture risk, says a 2022 study. has been reported. New England Medical Journal.
Improving immunity
There’s a lot of talk about the role vitamin D plays in strengthening the immune system and preventing certain diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. A large 2020 study by researchers at the University of Chicago School of Medicine also found a link between vitamin D deficiency and susceptibility to contracting COVID-19.
However, Dr. Marilyn Tan, an endocrinologist and clinical associate professor at Stanford University who has studied vitamin D extensively, says most of the research on preventing diseases (including the coronavirus) is preliminary. Point out. “We think vitamin D plays some role in immunity, but it’s not a very clear and defined relationship,” she says. “We do know that it has a role in preventing osteoporosis and bone loss, but that’s really all there is to it.”
Mental health supported
Some studies have linked vitamin D deficiency to depression, suggesting that getting enough vitamin D may improve your overall mental health. But again, this research is too preliminary for doctors to prescribe vitamin D as a treatment for depression, anxiety, or other mental health problems.
“As a side note, I’ve had many patients who feel much better mentally once their vitamin D levels reach their target levels, but not all patients do,” she says.
