8 reasons to test for vitamin D

Friday is D-day at my house, vitamin D-day, that is. I’m still working my way back from an alarmingly low blood level a few months back, so I take a cheerfully green, 50,000 IU gelcap with my lunch each Friday (remember, your body absorbs vitamin D better when you take it with a fat-containing meal, so oh, darn — chocolate might have happened today!).

If you haven’t had your vitamin D level checked lately and are looking for some info on why you should, read on!

Reduce the risk of the flu
Vitamin D contributes to lowering the incidence of infections and inflammation during the fall-winter flu season. The Canadian government has recommended increased Vitamin D intake as part of their flu prevention strategy, including prevention of H1N1 Swine Flu.

Reduce the risk of depression
Low levels of Vitamin D are associated with depression. Sun exposure is known to be a factor in relieving depression, especially winter depression also known as seasonal affective disorder.

Reduce chronic muscle aching and pain
Vitamin D helps to normalize blood calcium which is required for tight shortened muscles to soften, lengthen and relax out of spasm. When calcium is available to the muscles, menstrual cramps lessen.

Reduce risk of cancer
Low levels of Vitamin D are associated with increased incidence of many cancers. Vitamin D normalizes cell to cell communication, impacts uncontrolled cell growth and allows cells to differentiate into normal cells with a normal life cycle.

Reduce the risk of diseases
Reduces risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, heart attack and atherosclerosis. Vitamin D has been shown to protect the lining of your blood vessels.

Reduce the risk of Type 1 Diabetes
Reduces the risk by 80 per cent. Low levels of Vitamin D are found in diabetics.

Reduce risk of getting Autoimmune Diseases
Such as Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Lupus. Low levels of Vitamin D are associated with increased auto-immune attack, breakdown of your own tissues and loss of normal functions. Vitamin D supplementation has been shown to reduce the risk of multiple sclerosis by 40 per cent.

Reduce the risk of bone fractures
Reduce the risk of bone fractures, bone loss and osteoporosis. Low levels of Vitamin D prevent your body from normal calcium metabolism and normal bone formation. Both men and women are at increased risk for bone loss and fractures as they age.

Article courtesy of Beliefnet.com. Beliefnet offers daily inspiration with news articles on faith, religion, politics, health, family entertainment, sustainable living and more.