Thursday, December 13, 2012

The Importance of Vitamin D for Children

Vitamin D and Kids

We've all been bombarded by the public service announcements that stress the importance of physical activity in children.  With obesity on the rise it is important that children are getting plenty of exercise, but there is also another reason why they should be playing outside: Vitamin D.  Vitamin D is a nutrient that the body depends on, and sunlight can be synthesized by the body into Vitamin D.  Vitamin D supplements can also offer a great source of Vitamin D, and recent studies have shown the importance of Vitamin D to the immune system of children.

Vitamin D is essential to healthy immune response.  When the body's T cells detect harmful pathogens they deploy a Vitamin D receptor.  If the T cell is unable to locate Vitamin D it will remain inactivated, but if it is able to get Vitamin D it will mobilize and fight the pathogens.  Vitamin D will either turn the T cell into a killer cell or a helper cell that communicates with the immune system.  The killer cell actively seeks and destroys the pathogen, while the cell in charge of communication helps to pass information on to the immune system.  This is an important function, because it helps the body to recognize the harmful pathogen and to properly respond to its presence in future encounters.

Clearly Vitamin D is an important factor in immune function, and a study conducted at the Medical University of South Carolina documented its necessity in children.  The study tested over 500 children who were deemed unhealthy and chronically ill, and their blood was tested for Vitamin D levels.  The testing revealed that the more sick the child was the lower their Vitamin D levels were.  Studies also found that children who took Vitamin D supplements or got plenty of sunlight were less likely to be ill.

Get your children outside.  It is not only a great way to keep them in shape, but the exposure to sunlight is a valuable source for Vitamin D.  Of course sunlight might not provide enough Vitamin D, and for this a natural Vitamin D supplement works great.  The human body depends on the Vitamin D for healthy immune response, and a lack of Vitamin D is directly correlated to poor immune function.  


Some Sources of Vitamin D for Kids

Nordic Berries Chewable Vitamins and Minerals

Multigenics Chewable

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Nordic Naturals ProOmega D Review

ProOmega D

If you've read this blog before you know that Vitamin D can be a great way to support the body's health.  Vitamin D can help your body to utilize calcium, and it can help to support the immune system.  It can even help the body to run efficiently by supporting cell differentiation.  I've recently come across a number of supplements that include Vitamin D in unrelated products, and this just goes to show how truly important Vitamin D is.

One of these products is Nordic Naturals ProOmega-DProOmega-D liquid is an omega-3 supplement that is all natural and doctor recommended.  Besides being a great source for Vitamin D, ProOmega-D is an incredible source for EPA and DHA, which are two of the most beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. 

DHA can help the brain to properly grow and develop, and it is one of the most important - but least used - nutrients for children.  DHA can also help to relieve depression and support the mood.  In the cardiovascular system DHA can help to reduce the occurrence of blood clotting and it may also help to lower triglyceride levels.

EPA works in the cardiovascular system to help improve circulation, and this helps to improve brain function by supplying it with more oxygen.  It can also help to stimulate hormones that can help the brain to run at its best.  EPA, like DHA, can also be a great way to support the mood.

ProOmega-D also contains oleic acid, which is an omega-9 fatty acid.  Oleic acid can help to regulate cholesterol levels, and it may help to reduce the risk of arteriosclerosis.  It is also a great antioxidant, and it can help to protect the body from cancer-causing free radicals.  Oleic acid can also help to support brain function by helping to send and receive nerve transmissions.

Vitamin E can also be found in ProOmega-D, and it can help to further support the cardiovascular and nervous systems.  It is also a great antioxidant, and it can also help to support the eyes. 
There is nothing that shows the importance of Vitamin D more than its addition in numerous unrelated supplements.  Vitamin D can be a great addition to any kind of supplement.

Nordic Naturals ProOmega-D is a wonderful supplement for the human body, because it contains omega-3 and 9 fatty acids and of course the oh-so-beneficial Vitamin D. ProOmega D also comes in a 120 lemon flavored softgel, but to save money, buy the Nordic ProOmega D 180 Softgel.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Importance of Vitamin D


Vitamin D is an important vitamin for the body's health.  It can be taken in through sunlight, fish, and eggs.  It would seem that the body would have enough of a vitamin that can be consumed through sunbathing, but this isn't the case.  Experts believe that up to 77% of Americans are deficient in Vitamin D.  Supplementing with Vitamin D is important to the body's health, because researchers believe that it is impossible for anybody living north of Georgia to consume enough Vitamin D through sunlight.

Fundamental Vitamin D3 5,000 IU is a great Vitamin D supplement that offers the body 1250% of its daily value.  Vitamin D3 is an important distinction.  When looking for Vitamin D supplements it is important that the label reads D3 and not D2.  Vitamin D2 is a plant based Vitamin D, and it isn't easily absorbed by the body.

Vitamin D's most important trait is how it aids calcium.  Calcium isn't easily absorbed by the body, and because of this much of the calcium that enters the body isn't actually used.  Vitamin D can help the body to fully absorb calcium, and it can also help with the absorption of phosphorous.  By helping to absorb calcium, Vitamin D helps to maintain calcium balance throughout the body and it also helps to strengthen the bones.  Vitamin D can also help to support strong and healthy muscles.

Vitamin D can also help to regulate the cardiovascular and nervous systems.  It can help to support normal blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and it can also help to improve the psyche by reducing depression.
Vitamin D also promotes cell differentiation.  Cell differentiation helps the body to run in a more efficient state, because it gives cells specific jobs within the body.  This leads to cells that are specialized and more efficient at the jobs they carry out.

Consuming Vitamin D can also help to boost the immune system. Vitamin D can help to prevent the onset of the common cold, and it can decrease its duration and intensity.

Vitamin D is an incredibly important nutrient, but unfortunately many people are Vitamin D deficient.  Vitamin D can help the body to absorb calcium, promote cell differentiation, regulate the cardiovascular and nervous systems, and boost the immune system. Fundamental Vitamin D3 5,000 IU is a great source for the easily metabolized Vitamin D3.