The last few weeks the whole world is talking about the importance of Vit D and its influence on covid? Well is this true or false?
Vit D has not a direct influence on the covid virus, but it is extremely important in the support of our immune system, and Yes our immune system is exact that part our of body, what protects us from covid-19.
But what is vitamine D?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, also known as the sun vitamin. because the production of vitamin D is triggered by UV light from sunlight .
Vitamin D can also be found in small amounts in the following foods:
– fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardine and herring
– Egg yolk
– Red meat
– Liver
Functions:
Has several important functions in the body: eg.
A. Prohormone
Vitamin D is not actually a vitamin, but a ‘prohormone’. Prohormones are substances that the body converts into hormones.
B. Bone formation
Vitamin D regulates the calcium and phosphorus metabolism and plays a key role in bone formation
C. Anti-inflammatory
Vitamin D inhibits the working of the cells that trigger inflammation.
D. The support of our Immune system
Our immune system is the body’s ‘firewall’. It protects the body from intruders.
Our immune system is created when the body already has survived the first infection by an intruder. The immune system has its own memory and remembers intruders. This is what makes us immune to an intruder for life. (just think of flu or Covid)
Vitamin D3 stimulates the functioning of different types of immune cells of our immunie. This means that vitamin D has an influence on the creation of a strong immune system. Vit D stimulates protection against viruses and foreign bacteria.
A vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of autoimmune disorders and an increased susceptibility to (chronic) infections. With the current situation towards covid and flu, optimal vitamin D balance is extremely important to the body!
Supplementation:
The sun gives us a small amount of vitamin D. But it not enough to fully support our immune system during the winter.
During the winter months a daily intake of 1000-3000 IU’s (international units) is recommended.
The better the vitamin D levels in the body, the stronger the immune system, the better the body is protected against intruders!
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