Ways to get more Vitamin D in your body
Posted on: 10/Jun/2018 8:40:57 AM
According to what experts have to say, it is imperative that children get enough amount of vitamin D. Most of us are well aware of the fact that calcium and Vitamin D are super essential to build healthy bones in our body, however people rarely are aware of the fact that calcium absorption takes place only when vitamin D is present.
Experts state that people very often tend to misunderstand Vitamin D, as it works in close association with calcium. The research states that the best way for children to obtain Vitamin D is via sunlight exposure, taking supplements and dietary intake.
As per the present guidelines, infants gaining below 12 months should get about 400 international units of vitamin D daily. For children and adults, 600IU per day is necessary. Infants who get breastfed fully or partially need to get vitamin D supplementation until they are weaned or given fortified milk.
Kids can naturally get sunlight, as the summer is at its peak now. They can head out under the sun and have more meals by being at home and be with parents which provides the parents with a good opportunity to reflect various ways of obtaining vitamin D.
To obtain vitamin D, fishes like salmon or tuna can be given grilled. There is good amount of Vitamin D in fatty fish, cereals, yogurt, and eggs.
As we expose our children to the sun, their skin starts manufacturing different forms of Vitamin D which will then get active and start circulating in the bloodstream. The amount of this vitamin produced depends on when the child is exposed, season, latitude, how far is the exposure, skin pigmentation of the child, etc. Because of seasonal changes, there may be variations in the level of vitamin D produced.
The other way of obtaining vitamin D is through supplements. Those who do not get exposed to sunlight or get the vitamin through food can source it via supplements. They are usually available as drops or pills. Often, these are available as a combination of calcium and vitamin D.
There are long term health benefits of vitamin D. It importantly enhances our immunity. Furthermore, lower levels of vitamin D may be a harm for children as it tends to develop diabetes or others in them.
In addition to the calcium homeostasis process it does, the vitamin also has an immune-modulation effect. Discussions about the role of vitamin D in autoimmune diseases is still on.
