Whilst vitamin D is extensively renowned for helping to build strong bones and maintain bone health as well as claims that the vitamin can help to prevent certain forms of cancers, new research has revealed that a daily supplement of vitamin D can significantly increase longevity.
What is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin which we can obtain from the food we eat. In addition, our body has the ability to produce vitamin D, calciferol, after exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. Therefore, we tend to have high levels of vitamin D in the summer months, with an increased importance of a dietary supplement throughout the winter months, hence the reason why vitamin D is often considered to be the ‘sunshine vitamin’.
As much research has found, vitamin D plays a vital role in the absorption of calcium and it is these properties that promote the formation and maintenance of strong bones. Furthermore, vitamin D is crucial for immunity and a healthy immune system as it encourages the production of natural antibiotics and anti-viral agents within the body. As the ‘sunshine vitamin’, it is thought that the seasonal flux of common colds and flu throughout the winter months.
Emerging research also suggests that vitamin D can play a key role in the prevention of cancer and can potentially help with cancer treatment.
What does Research say?
New research into the combination of benefits derived from vitamin D and the overall effects on longevity found from18 clinical studies that lasted an average of 5-6 years that a daily supplement of vitamin D had considerably positive results on longevity, with around an 8% reduction in mortality from any cause in people taking the supplement.
Although it is not clear how a vitamin D supplement directly increases longevity, it is clear that taking a natural supplement of vitamin D can offer various benefits that contribute to overall well-being and good health.
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin D is around 20 mcg per day, with many multivitamin blends containing 100% RDA. A beneficial natural blend of multivitamins in a convenient one-a-day form (Multivitamins(A,B,C,D,E) 100% RDA) is available from Simply Supplements (http://www.simplysupplements.co.uk) (Buy One Get One Free, £6.49).
Resources:www.healthlink.mcw.eduwww.healthandage.com