Vitamin D

Vitamins are nutrients that human bodies need in order to increase or stabilize the metabolic process, which are methods where chemical reactions in a cell take place within the human body. Nutrients are elements in which humans need in order to live and grow. Unlike other nutrients, vitamins can only be obtained from the food that we eat. Different types of food contain different vitamins, such as vitamin A, D, E or K, which have different functions. For example, some vitamins help keep blood clots to a minimum while others produce pigments to maintain good eyesight. More specifically, vitamin D is a vitamin that is known to maintain or develop bone, teeth, and muscles. Vitamin D can be found in foods such fish, seafood, and dairy products such as milk, egg yolks, and butter.

Research has shown that an adequate amount of vitamin D helps limit the susceptibility of both bodily and immune system diseases such as diabetes or pancreatic cancer. In order for vitamin D to be activated, it must first be taken as a supplement or by eating foods that contain it. Once it reaches the liver, the liver breaks the vitamin down to create a chemical. From there, the chemical acts like a hormone to work throughout the body. Recent studies have demonstrated for vitamin D receptors to be found in vital organs in the body. With vitamin D in the body, calcium can be regulated to keep bones and muscles healthy. Research shows that with vitamin D in the human body, it plays a role in controlling functions such as cell growth and DNA repair.

Vitamin D can also known as the sunshine vitamin because ultraviolet rays, which are rays whose wavelength are shorter than visible light, from the sun converts a chemical that is in our bodies, more specifically our skin, into vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 (cholecalcifero) first needs to be metabolized and then concerted into vitamin D. Sunbathing as a source of vitamin D only requires a five to thirty minute exposure at least twice a week. Even...