Health Benefits of Vitamin D

Health Benefits of Vitamin D

Health Benefits of vitamin D

From an early age, we are all taught that vitamins and minerals are good for the human body in order to facilitate it to everyday functioning and also for promoting overall health and well-being. While all vitamins are important, vitamin D in particular enjoys a coveted spot in context of health. Referred to as a wonder vitamin, its deficiency can cause lack of energy, high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s disease, psychosis and even certain kinds of cancer. Vitamin D can be defined as a steroid vitamin, which means that it is comprised of a group of prohormones that are soluble in fat.

In order to get one’s required daily dose of vitamin D, it is suggested that one should be exposed to sunlight for about fifteen minutes at a stretch. Sunlight is known to promote the synthesis of vitamin D in the human skin, but prolonged exposure can cause cancer. Another source of vitamin D would be a balanced diet. This vitamin is unique in comparison to the others because it is the only one that human beings can acquire without consuming food.


When you have this wonder vitamin present in your body in sufficient quantity, you will be able to enjoy a wealth of health benefits. One of the top health benefits offered by vitamin D is that it enhances as also regulates the immune system of our body. Therefore, those who possess vitamin D in their bodies enjoy good health and are particularly resistant to common cold. Presence of vitamin D in the body promotes the absorption and metabolism of minerals like phosphorus and calcium both of which are extremely effective for the maintenance of healthy bones, teeth and nails.


Research has proved that those with sufficient quantities of vitamin D in their bodies are less susceptible to develop multiple sclerosis. This is a chronic inflammatory disease that targets the central nervous system of the human body. People suffering from multiple sclerosis have damaged spinal cord and brain cells - to be precise, it is the myelin sheath around the axons of the brain and spinal cord that get damaged. If you live in a place with colder climates and fail to get exposure to the sun on a daily basis then it is recommended that you consume vitamin D supplements to protect your body. Part of good health comes from strengthened immunity and this is exactly what this vitamin is meant to build.

Vitamin D is also responsible for regulating the production or release of insulin in the human body. Insulin is, in turn, responsible for regulating the blood sugar level in our body, thereby reducing the chances of occurrence of type 2 diabetes. Sufficient amount of vitamin D in our body helps in maintaining not just the heart muscle functioning but also in preventing deaths through stroke or heart attacks. In case of young children, vitamin D aids in the prevention of rickets, which is a disease that is characterized by bowed legs and alarmingly swollen pot belly. Ingesting or catching sufficient amount of vitamin D in your body would also prevent muscle pain and weakness.

Reviewed By:

Dr. Kaushal M. Bhavsar (MBBS, MD)

Assistant Professor in Pulmonary Medicine, GMERS Medical College, Ahmedabad