Common Illnesses Linked to Low Levels of the Sunshine Vitamin

Sharon Moore August 01, 2013

You’re probably familiar with the role of vitamin D in promoting healthy bones, particularly by helping your body absorb calcium more effectively. But numerous studies have highlighted the role of the sunshine vitamin not just in boosting bone health but also in protecting our body against various diseases. Here are among the most common diseases that are linked to vitamin D deficiency.

Asthma

Whilst the real cause of asthma is still being explored by scientists, a growing body of research suggests that vitamin D deficiency is a major factor for the onset of this debilitating condition, especially in children. Lack of vitamin D is believed to contribute to the inflammation in the airways, making it much more difficult for patients to breathe.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBS)

Studies conducted in Europe, US and India have found a link between Chron’s disease, ulcerative colitis and other forms of IBS and low vitamin D levels. These studies suggest that IBS is more prevalent in populations where natural sunlight exposure is limited.

Type-2 Diabetes

A study published in the journal AIDS in 2011 suggests that vitamin D deficiency can aggravate the symptoms of metabolic syndrome in patients with HIV. They also discovered that maintaining high levels of vitamin D through sunlight exposure or supplementation may help lower the risk of developing type-2 diabetes in general.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Canadian researchers found a ‘considerably strong association’ between rheumatoid arthritis and vitamin D deficiency. In their study, people who had low levels of vitamin D were five times more likely to develop RA-related diseases than others.

Hypertension

A study published in the Journal of Investigative Medicine found that patients with hypertension fared better when their vitamin D levels were boosted. High blood serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, a marker of vitamin D, were found to modulate vascular inflammation and other indicators of high blood pressure.

Dental cavities

Numerous studies have found that maintaining high levels of vitamin D could promote healthy calcification of teeth whilst deficiency of this vitamin can lead to higher rates of dental cavities. According to the researchers at University of Tennessee, vitamin D boosts musculoskeletal health by mediating calcium absorption and mineral homeostasis.

Influenza

It has long been known that flu rates are higher in wintertime and are lower during sunny weather. Japanese researchers support this idea. Their study which was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that vitamin D supplementation dramatically reduced the incidence of seasonal flu among children they followed.

Living in a country where the sun rarely comes out, it has become a big challenge for many of us to get enough of the sunshine vitamin. Fortunately, there are other ways to boost our vitamin D levels without relying much on the sun:

· Eat more seafood. Seafood, particularly cold-water fish like salmon, herring, mackerel, and oyster, contain high levels of vitamin D. They are also rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

· Eat animal foods containing Vitamin D. The old fashioned lard or pork from pasture-raised hogs contains vitamin D. In fact, this is how most Brits have gotten their vitamin D for centuries. You can also get this nutrient from grass-fed animals and chicken, and their products.

· Take vitamin D supplement. There are a variety of vitamin D supplements available in the market today. They include cod liver oil.