Health Benefits of Sunshine Vitamin

 Vitamin D is also known as the sunshine vitamin since its main source is sunshine. It is also obtained from milk & milk products, curd, fish, and eggs. The active form of vitamin D, 1-25 dihydroxycholecalciferol, regulates the synthesis of a calcium-binding protein that serves as a calcium carrier in the intestinal cell, transporting calcium across the intestinal cells for it to be released into the bloodstream. Several types of vitamin D include vitamin D 1to Vitamin D 5, however out of these 5 vitamin D, Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3 are common. Less exposure to sunlight and lack of vitamin D leads to osteomalacia in children. It also leads to arthritis and other bone problems in adults. The presence of an active form of vitamin D can result in a 10-30% increase in calcium absorption.

Exposure to sunlight is a must:

Image: Sunshine vitamin

Due to a sedentary lifestyle, our way of working has become sedentary. We often leave for work in the morning and return home in the evening. Not even realizing that we have not taken enough sunlight, we are sitting on a chair for hours either watching the computers lying on our table or roaming in an air-conditioned room with all windows closed. Then how can we get enough sunlight? It depends on our practice to get exposed to sunlight every day. Sunlight is not only important for human health but also beneficial for the surroundings. It is said that all the rooms must be exposed to sunlight every day as it kills the bad bacteria and viruses in the rooms. Often in the offices, with packed rooms and switched air conditions, the windows are always closed and no sun’s rays enter the room. Plus the use of sunscreens out of fear of the sun has even more destroyed human life. Applying sunscreens and avoiding complete exposure to sunlight definitely spoils your overall health.

Why is vitamin D known as a sunshine vitamin?

Vitamin D is also known as the sunshine vitamin because sunlight is the main source for synthesizing vitamin D in the body. Human skin can synthesize a large amount of vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. When your bare skin is exposed to sunlight your body gets a boost to synthesize vitamin D. Mainly the sun’s ultraviolet UVB rays are helpful for synthesizing vitamin D. It requires only a few minutes’ exposures to the sun in order to synthesize vitamin D. In fact when your skin starts getting enough heat from sun’s exposure, it starts synthesizing 10,000 to 25, 000 I.U. vitamin D, which is enough for your day’s activity and biochemical functions in your body.

What about the bad stories of the sun’s UV rays?

Sun’s UV rays are not completely harmful. As already discussed exposure to the sun’s rays for a short period of time gives us Vitamin D. However too much exposure to the sun’s UV rays can cause cancer. Moderate exposure to the sun is healthy however frequent and excessive exposure to the sun can trigger skin cancer. If you have been exposed to the sun for more than one hour or you tend to get the feeling of enough sun now! Then you can cover your exposed part with a cloth. If you have some problems facing the sun for long hours try using these natural sunscreen remedies.

Recommended dietary intake of vitamin D:

According to Vitamin D Council, vitamin D requirements are different in children and adults. The following table describes the required dose of vitamin D for children and adults:

Group of people	Vitamin D Council (Lower and upper limits respectively)
Infants	1000-2000 IU/ day
Children	1000-2000 IU/ day
Adults	5000-10,000 IU/ day

Other sources of obtaining vitamin D:

• Vitamin D supplements: There are a lot of vitamin D supplements available on the market. Check with your doctor and decide to go for vitamin D supplements. Make sure the dose is clear to you.

• Diet: Foods rich in vitamin D include milk and milk products, orange juice, and fortified cereals. If you prefer to eat non-veg food, fatty fish, beef liver and egg yolk are the right sources of vitamin D.

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Disclaimer: This blog contains general information and does not offer any medical advice. The information shared on this blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice and thus you may seek guidance from a medical practitioner.