Vitamin D - Disease Prevention Role for the sunshine vitamin

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and has been called the sunshine vitamin. The role of this vitamin has been known for several decades. It promotes the formation of bone. This is achieved by promoting intestinal absorption of calcium. It available from several sources, but the fish liver oils are the best sources.

There is another source for which you do not have to pay. This source is sunlight, which is free. Naturally, the sunlight does not contain vitamin D. UV radiations that are part of the sunlight is able to act on a precursor of vitamin D present in the skin. This molecule is called precursor 7-dehydrocholesterol.

Vitamin D is actually a pro-hormone. Enzymes present in the liver and kidney to convert vitamin D to its active form. This active form is called 1, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. Since this active form of vitamin D contains three hydroxyl groups, this compound is known as calcitriol. Calcitriol can act as a hormone and is released by the kidneys. You calcitriol, which promotes the absorption of calcium in the blood. 

Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased levels of cholesterol in the blood which in turn would make a person susceptible to coronary heart disease. When vitamin D is not available in sufficient quantities for food, the body tends to synthesize more cholesterol so that more vitamin D precursors is available in the skin. It is this response that leads to increased blood cholesterol levels. When vitamin D is lacking, there is an increase in arterial calcification, a phenomenon that promotes format on plaque. 

Vitamin D is probably the best antibiotic produced in nature. It has the ability to increase the functioning of the immune system. The T cells of the immune system are normally in an inactive state, or inactive. When activated, they become killer cells. 

Vitamin D is involved in this activation. When T cells are exposed to invading pathogens, stretch a bit antennae that are actually vitamin D receptors. When vitamin D binds to these receptors, T cells are activated. If a sufficient number of vitamin D molecules are not available for binding, activation of T cells is arrested. 

Vitamin D is also able to inhibit the development of an autoimmune disease. Multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease are classic examples. Vitamin D also increases the phagocytic activity of macrophages. Vitamin D also promotes the synthesis of a peptide called cathelicidin anti-microbial within macrophages.

When vitamin D is deficient, glucose tolerance is reduced. This implies that the low availability of vitamin D in the body can predispose to the development of diabetes. It was also shown that nearly 77% of all cancers can be prevented with vitamin D.

* Note : Image from Internet