Vitamin D is one of the most sought following micronutrients during the coronavirus pandemic due to its ability to boost the immune system. Juan Carlos Perkovic, a doctor at the Ruber Internacional Hospital, says that “it is now known that vitamin D can act as an immunosuppressant, suppressing the covid cytokine release syndrome.” About this writes the publication El comercio.
In addition, vitamin D is very important for the body for many other reasons. Muscles need this vitamin for movement, it helps absorb calcium from food – one of the building blocks of bones.
The optimal amount for the human body can be obtained naturally: with a little sun and a healthy diet. Most experts say that 8 to 15 minutes of daily sun exposure is sufficient to produce the required amount for the body. But depending on where you live, production of this vitamin can drop or disappear almost completely during the winter.
Exercise also helps maintain optimal blood levels of vitamin D. This is stated in a study conducted by scientists at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland (USA). The study was conducted on more than 10,000 American adults for nearly 20 years. This suggests a “synergistic” relationship between exercise and good vitamin D levels.
Usually, with a balanced diet, people have all the necessary vitamins, and there is no need to take vitamin supplements. Here are some foods that contain vitamin D:
– Oily fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel
– cow liver
– Cheese
– Mushrooms
– egg yolk
negative effect
Excessive intake of vitamin D can cause an increase in serum calcium (hypercalcemia) and phosphorus (hyperphosphatemia) and soft tissue calcification in the kidneys or lungs.
For this reason, it is important to check if there is indeed a deficiency of this vitamin before taking supplements. Symptoms of possible vitamin D poisoning may include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, weakness, and weight loss.
