What is vitamin D?

Vitamin D is an oil soluble vitamin that has several important functions in the body.                   

1. It helps absorb dietary calcium and phosphorus from the intestines.
2. It suppresses the release of parathyroid hormone, a hormone that causes bone resorption.
3. Through these actions, vitamin D keeps the calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood normal thereby promoting bone health.
4. Vitamin D may have other benefits,such as improving muscle and immune function.
5. The main source of vitamin D (90%) is made in the skin with the help of sunlight (UVB rays).Unlike other vitamins,only a small amount (10%) comes from food we eat.

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• Dietary sources of vitamin D : Egg yolk, mushrooms,fatty fish like salmon,cod liver oil.
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• Are you Vitamin D deficient?
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• All these things can make you vitamin D deficient:
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1.Spending a lot of time indoors during the day.
2.Covering your skin with clothing or SPF all the time.
3.Obesity or gastric bypass surgery.
4.Infants who are breastfed are not given a vitamin D supplement.
5.Living in northern regions where there are fewer hours of sunlight.

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About Dt. Vaishali Gaur
After her Graduation in Nutrition and Post Graduation in  Dietetics and Public Health Nutrition from the prestigious Lady Irwin College, She has worked with Max Balaji Hospital , Pushpanjali Crosslay Hospital and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital.
For Inquiries please contact : info.vaishaligaur@gmail.com

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