Vitamin D is a necessity for healthy joints

The “sunshine vitamin” is a well-earned nickname of vitamin D. This essential element is found in foods such as oily fish and is used to fortify milk, baby formula, cereal and juice. Many people suffer from vitamin D deficiency but are unaware of it.

Roleof Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining joint health. Drop in its concentration leads to rheumatologic conditions like arthritis. Low blood levels of the vitamin also lead to osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. While studying 2000 people, researchers found a connection between vitamin deficiency and arthritis. The vitamin is a core nutrient for strong bones and is more likely to be wanting in people who take oral corticosteroids.

Vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D helps to regulate the immunesystem, fight diseases so as to prevent frequent illness. Vitamin D blood levels of 30-40ng/ml are considered normal. In young children, the absence of the vitamin leads to rickets or softening of the bones. Other symptoms of deficiency are fractures of the hip and pelvis, bone tenderness, tooth decay and hearing loss.

Vitamin D deficiency leads to:

       Inflammatory joint disease

Connectivetissue disease Soft tissue rheumatism Osteoarthritis Non-specific musculoskeletal back pain

Osteoporosis.

Painless ways of regaining Vitamin D

1. Expose part of your body (if only your hands)  to sunlight for just 10 to 15 minutes a day. The sun triggers the activation of the vitamin in your body. If you have darker skin, you need more sunlight since dark skin does not absorb sunlight as quickly as lighter skin. If you can’t go             outside, sit by an open window for a few minutes.

2. Many types of fish are a good source of         vitamin D. Three ounces of salmon can           give you the recommended daily amount       of the vitamin. Raw fish has more vitamin D than cooked ones. 

3. Liver oil contains vitamin D. One tablespoon has as much vitamin as three servings of salmon.

4. Cereal, milk, cheese and soy products have large amounts of vitamin D.

5. In winter, spending time under the sun is greatly advised.

6. Since it takes several months to recover normal level of vitamin D, it is necessary to get tested       to find out where you stand.

7. Talk to your doctor whether any medicine you are taking is going to cause shortage of vitamin                                                                                 D in your body.   
Courtesy by Zilaxo Advanced Pain Solution
www.zilaxo.org