Source: Mercola.Com
Vitamin D is a steroid hormone that influences virtually every cell in your body, which is why maintaining a healthy level is so important. But vitamin D is equally important for your heart, brain, immune function and much more. For example, there’s an important connection between insufficient vitamin D and both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Research showing this link includes but is not limited to the following:
- Animal studies have shown vitamin D is a foundational factor necessary for normal insulin secretion and that vitamin D improves insulin sensitivity
- One study involving nearly 5,680 individuals with impaired glucose tolerance showed that vitamin D supplementation increased insulin sensitivity by 54 percent
- The mechanisms by which vitamin D reduces insulin resistance include its effect on calcium and phosphorus metabolism and by upregulating the insulin receptor gene
Incidence of several types of cancer could also be slashed in half, or more. Recent research reveals raising your serum 25(OH)D to 40 ng/ml can slash your risk of invasive cancers by 67 percent!
Most of the researchers specializing in vitamin D agree that sensible sun exposure is far better than vitamin D supplements which do not provide the same effects as the vitamin D your skin makes in response to UV exposure. However, chances are you’re simply not getting enough sun exposure to raise your vitamin D level.
