Are you aware that a large portion of people living in more developed and industrialized areas suffer from Vitamin D deficiency? And this condition is directly related to the desire of maintaining healthy and glowing skin. People in more modern societies are very conscious of the way their skin looks. They use large amount of skin care crams, varying in ingredients, potency and prices. Most of them are working indoors and stay out of the sunlight most of the time. Some historians suggest that Vitamin D deficiency was an indirect result of the Industrial Age, when people who used to work outdoors began working inside, like in the factories and industrial plants. The drastic decrease in exposure to direct sunlight significantly led to the Vitamin D deficiency, among others.

But what is Vitamin D and how is it related to dry skin?

Briefly about Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a group of prohormones that are fat-soluble. Its two primary forms are Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol). The latter type is one most recommended by nutritionists in enhancing your skin care regimen. Being a prohormone, it is largely critical in the formation of body hormones. Its deficiency may lead to various types of hormone-related disorders. Vitamin D is primarily produced by the body through exposure to the ultraviolet B radiation from the sun. Now you know the link between modern working environment and Vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D plays many functions in the body system. It is mainly responsible for the regulation of calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood. It helps the digestive tracks absorb more of these nutrients from the foods we eat. Because of this, Vitamin D is important to the proper development and growth of our bones. Vitamin D also minimizes the massive secretion of parathyroid hormones produced by the parathyroid gland. Excessive amount of this hormone leads to another hormonal disorder called hyperthyroidism.

There are many known causes for Vitamin D deficiency. Among leading factors are insufficient intakes of foods rich in Vitamin D, very limited exposure to gentle sunlight, and some disorders that limit the vitamin’s absorption within and its conversion into more useful metabolites.

Deficiency in Vitamin D leads to varying disorders. Notably, it may cause certain conditions pertaining to the skeletal system, such as rickets, osteoporosis and other diseases marked by the softening of the bone tissues. Recent studies suggest that Vitamin D has a large role in the maintenance of the proper balance of the skin tissues. Its deficiency results to drier and wrinkled skin layers.

A special layer on our skin is responsible for the conversion and processing of the ultraviolet B radiation from the sun into Vitamin D. Below par functioning of the melanin found on the skin has been linked to this condition. You actually realize that there is a mutual relationship between Vitamin D and skin balance, such that one benefits from the other.

To address this condition, you need to take foods that are rich in Vitamin D. Some foods are now fortified with increased amount of this vitamin, like your milk, breakfast cereals, bread, pastries and yogurt. Common marine sources are also rich sources of the Vitamin. Among the leaders are fish liver oil (especially cod liver) and fatty tissues of herring, mackerel, catfish, salmon, sardines, ell and tuna. You can also get substantial amount from whole egg and beef liver.

Remember that exposure to sun is not inherently bad to your skin. It is too much exposure which leads to dry skin. Our body is designed to process Vitamin D from sunlight. You just don’t have to overdo it.

So, what are you waiting? Go out and bask yourself under the mighty power of the sun.