Table of Article Contents
Are You Getting Enough Vitamin D?
Do you get enough exposure to sunlight for the absorption of vitamin D? Do you know how important it is to your heart health? Let there be more sunlight and read further to understand how vitamin D gives us better heart health.
What is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is what experts refer to as a steroid vitamin which consists of fat-soluble pro-hormones responsible for improved metabolism and the better absorption of phosphorous and calcium.
Fortunately, you do not have to spend a lot of time in the sun in order to obtain sufficient amounts of vitamin D. You just have to wake up early and catch those healthy early morning rays of the sun. This is the reason why those who are regularly exposed to regular amounts of sunlight do not have to take vitamin D supplements.
There are two types of vitamin D that are important to our health and these are vitamins D2 and D3, also known as ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol respectively.
The Best Source of Vitamin D
We can obtain our supply of vitamin D from sunlight exposure, supplements and foods and the best way to obtain our supply of vitamin D is from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. For sustaining life we need to expose ourselves to sunlight. It is thought for up to two hours at a time and we should do this twice or three times per week. Just be careful not to get sunburnt.
Vitamin D and Heart Health
A recent study also showed that people with very low levels of vitamin D can suffer from muscle weakness and bone density problems, such as osteoporosis.
They were also found to have stiffer arteries. Another point experts found out is that people who were vitamin D deficient were also showing signs of high blood pressure.
However, as soon as the vitamin D levels were increased and reached normal levels, their levels of blood pressure also became normal.
Getting enough vitamin D can contribute to a healthy heart because vitamin D promotes healthy cells. This includes helping arteries relax and constrict, control blood clotting and keep the blood healthy. When these cells are not functioning well because of a vitamin D deficiency, health issues emerge.
The Risks of NOT Having Enough Vitamin D
A research conducted in Denmark revealed that those people who have extremely low vitamin D levels are 81% at risk of suffering from serious heart disease. Having insufficient amounts of vitamin D would put them at a 64% risk of suffering from a heart attack.
One simple reason why vitamin D deficiency exposes people to all these risks is because vitamin D plays a crucial role in regulating your blood pressure as stated earlier.
Therefore, if you only have very low levels of vitamin D your body will also be producing more of those enzymes called renin. Unfortunately, more renin would also mean an increase in blood pressure which can lead to hypertension and other serious health problems.
Many people suffering with a vitamin D deficiency have poor overall health.
Therefore, vitamin D is one of the best things under the sun. 😉
Getting enough vitamin D is also another good reason for you to wake up early and enjoy life. Play in the early morning sun, work your way towards having a healthy heart and live longer!
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