What is Vitamin D Good For? The 7 Biggest Benefits of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins we have, but many people are deficient in it because they lack sunlight exposure, eat few foods that contain it, or don’t take supplements. Vitamin D has so many benefits that it’s hard to list them all here! Let’s look at the most significant health benefits of Vitamin D first and then see how you can get more of this essential vitamin into your diet and your body.
Benefits of vitamin D
There is a long list of benefits vitamin d produces in our bodies. In fact, it’s so vital to our health that it’s been called the sunshine vitamin. As we age, we generally get less of it naturally, which is why many experts recommend taking an oral supplement or getting tested to see if you need an IV infusion.
Benefits of Vitamin D include:
- Improves bone health – Your body needs vitamin D to help it absorb calcium, which strengthens bones and prevents osteoporosis.
- Increases immune function – Vitamin D has also been shown to aid in fighting illness and infections. People with higher levels of vitamin D are less likely to catch a cold or develop flu symptoms.
- Enhances calcium absorption – People deficient in vitamin D tend to have weaker bones, are more likely to develop osteoporosis, and are more prone to bone fractures than people with adequate levels. Adequate vitamin D intake can help prevent these risks.
- Supports kidney function – Your kidneys rely on vitamin D to get rid of nasty things like uric acid, phosphorus, and sodium. If you don’t have enough vitamin D, your kidneys might not be able to flush these substances from your body, which can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and even gout.
- Reduces risk of cardiovascular disease – By keeping your heart and blood vessels healthy, vitamin D reduces your risk of developing serious illnesses like heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.
- Helps prevent depression – Higher levels of vitamin d, especially from sunlight, have shown to be associated with lower rates of depression.
- Speeds wound healing – One reason vitamin D can be so effective at accelerating wound healing is that it bolsters the production of a protein called collagen.
Vitamin D deficiency symptoms
Before we dig into how you can get vitamin d, let’s take a look at some of the common symptoms of vitamin d deficiencies. A deficiency in vitamin d leads to an increased risk of bone diseases such as osteoporosis and rickets. Other conditions that are associated with a lack of vitamin D include muscle weakness, fatigue, and poor immune function. In addition to these symptoms, there are other more serious illnesses that may be caused by a lack of sufficient levels of vitamin D in your body, including heart disease and cancer.
If you have any of these symptoms or other health concerns, it’s a good idea to speak with a medical professional about receiving a vitamin d test or ways to increase your vitamin d intake.
What conditions are directly related to Vitamin D
There are seven health conditions, diseases, and illnesses that may be affected by vitamin D levels:
- Osteoporosis
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
- Depression
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Weight Loss
Vitamin D is important in preventing and treating osteoporosis because vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. It helps strengthen your muscles and increase balance, which reduces fall risk that can result in fractured and broken bones.
In clinical studies, it has been shown that taking a daily vitamin D supplement decreases the risk of cancer death by 12-13%. Vitamin D supplements have been found to affect five types of cancer:
- Breast Cancer
- Colorectal Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
As for its effect on the heart, vitamin D regulates blood pressure, the growth of vascular cells, and inflammatory and fibrotic pathways. Deficient levels of vitamin D lead to vascular dysfunction, stiffening of your arteries, and problems in your left ventricle. Adequate and high levels of vitamin D support heart health and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.
There have been mixed results in studies on the effect of vitamin D on depression. However, 14 observational studies showed that vitamin D deficiency and depression are linked.
Studies have shown that adequate levels of vitamin D may reduce your risk of getting multiple sclerosis (MS). It also might decrease the likelihood of relapsing and slow down the progression of MS in those who already have the disease.
Vitamin D metabolizes glucose, sets off insulin secretion, and reduces insulin resistance. All of these factors affect type 2 diabetes.
Observational studies have found that overweight and obese people are more likely to have low levels of vitamin D.
How to increase Vitamin D levels
Vitamin D in foods
Foods rich in vitamin D include some fish, such as salmon and tuna, beef liver, and eggs. Plant-based sources include fortified cereals, orange juice, and soy milk. If you’re not a fan of dairy or meat, consider some other methods to ensure you’re getting enough vitamin D.
Sunlight
Most people already know that sunlight contains vitamin D. It’s what your body uses to produce it naturally. Many people fail to get enough sunlight during the winter months to meet their needs. You might need up to 15 minutes in direct sunlight a few times per week during midday hours to get your share of vitamin D.
Oral vitamins
Many multivitamins include vitamin D as a component. Because many tend to be deficient in it, vitamin D supplements can help your body make better use of other vitamins. Most doctors recommend that you get your daily dose from natural sources—specifically sunlight and foods like salmon and eggs; however, everyone has busy schedules or struggles to maintain certain diets, which is why oral vitamins are a popular source of vitamin d.
Vitamin D infusions
They are commonly used to treat vitamin deficiency. Many people are deficient in vitamin D but have no idea that they suffer from it because our bodies make vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. Many who do not get enough sunlight may find relief with a vitamin D infusion. With at-home infusions increasing in popularity, receiving a vitamin infusion has never been more convenient. The days of commuting to a clinic and waiting in a busy lobby are gone. At home, infusions are great because you can schedule a time that’s convenient for you. Once scheduled, all you need to do is find a comfortable spot to receive your treatment. You don’t even need to leave the comfort of your house!
Who should get vitamin D infusions?
People who are deficient in vitamin D consider getting an infusion as part of their regular supplement regimen. Commonly associated with strong bones, several studies have also found a link between low levels of vitamin D and heart disease, cancer, auto-immune disorders, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes mellitus type II, osteoporosis, and other diseases. Whether low vitamin d levels are due to a disease or simply because of recent lifestyle choices, an infusion can help your body get back on track.
Another group that should consider getting vitamin D infusions is people who want to boost their immune system. Vitamin D helps regulate cell production, which controls how well your body fights off infections. Getting an infusion can help make you less susceptible to both viral and bacterial infections, including colds and flu. Depending on the time of year, it may play a bigger factor in whether or not you should get a vitamin infusion.
Vitamin D Shots with Drip Hydration
Our vitamin D shouts can help ensure that you get enough of this essential vitamin D. We make it easy to get vitamin therapy by bringing your appointment directly to you whether you’re at the gym, office, home, or somewhere else. Our IV treatments are a fast and convenient way to get the benefits of vitamin infusions and generally last between 30 - 45 minutes.
In addition to our IVs, we offer select add-ons such as anti-nausea or anti-inflammatory medications, glutathione shots, and B12 shots to provide further benefits and help you feel your best.
If you want to know more about our treatments or the places we service, give us a call! We’ll be happy to answer anything you’d like to know about vitamin D drips.
Vitamin D Shots - Frequently Asked Questions
Can you take too much vitamin D?
Yes, it is possible to take too much vitamin D. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means that it can build up in the body and potentially lead to toxic levels if it is consumed in large amounts. Vitamin D toxicity can cause hypercalcemia, a buildup of calcium in your blood. This condition can cause symptoms such as weakness, nausea, vomiting, frequent urination, kidney problems, and more.
How often do you need vitamin D shots?
Frequency of treatment depends on individual circumstances such as the severity of vitamin D deficiency, medical history, and other factors. However, most people may receive 1 – 3 shots over the course of a year.
Are vitamin D shots better than oral supplements?
Yes. Because vitamin D shots are given intramuscularly, the ingredients bypass your digestive system so that the full dose is available to your body for maximum benefits. Vitamin D shots are rapidly available for your cells to use.
What happens if you don’t treat vitamin D deficiency?
Not treating vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets, a rare but treatable condition that causes fatigue, frequent illnesses, depression, and impacts bone and muscle health. In children, vitamin D deficiency can impact normal growth and development.