What is it?
Vitamin D or calciferol is synthesized in the skin from ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B), so sun exposure is a determining factor for the production of this vitamin in the body. However, there are disagreements in the scientific community about the classification for vitamin D, whether this would be a prohormone or a vitamin itself.
What’s vitamin D for?
For vitamin D to act in the body, it needs to be metabolized to its active form1,25(OH)2D3 or calcitriol, which will regulate the gene expression and production of numerous proteins, including calcium carriers. It also acts in the systems of differentiation and cell proliferation, besides playing an important role in the regulation of bone absorption, since it acts in the maintenance of calcium and phosphorus concentrations in the blood, increasing or reducing absorption according to the needs of the body.
How does vitamin D work?
It presents action on the immune system, since in which some lymphocytes it is possible to find receptors for it, interfering in the production of interleukins and hindering the development of autoimmune diseases. It is also possible to correlate it with improvements in diabetes, thyroid health and blood pressure regulation.
When do you need to supplement?
In addition to the production by exposure to sunlight, vitamin D can be found in food sources such as milk derivatives, fish liver oil, eggs (mainly in yolk) and enriched margarines. However, with the increasingly frequent use of sunscreen, low sun exposure associated with the modern lifestyle and low consumption of source foods, the nutritional deficiency of this vitamin in the population is increasing. Therefore, in the context of deficiency supplementation is indicated in doses expressed in IU (international units) and can be prescribed by nutritionist and physicians who may indicate high doses depending on the severity of the case. However, it is necessary to be noted that the nutritionist can prescribe up to 4,000 IU.
Reference
Article
Vitamin D:
Reich, K. M., Fedorak, R. N., Madsen, K., & Kroeker, K. I. (2014). Vitamin D improves inflammatory bowel disease outcomes: basic science and clinical review.
World journal of gastroenterology
,
20
(17), 4934–4947. httpsDoi.org/10.3748/wjg.v20.i17.4934
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