Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, which keeps your bones and muscles strong and healthy. By not obtaining enough vitamin D you may be more prone to osteoporosis, however, since this affects your muscles as well you may be prone to chronic weakness and cramping of muscles. There also has been research that suggests vitamin D deficiencies can lead to more issues such as high blood pressure, and heart disease.
So how much Vitamin D should you intake in one day? The recommended value for daily intake under the age of 50 is 400-800 IU, and 800-1000 IU over 50 years of age.
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=9649)
How can you get this amount of vitamin D per day? Vitamin D can be obtained through diet, supplementation, and sunshine. The choice is yours to decide whiter to get your vitamins thorough supplementation or diet. Foods that are rich in vitamin D are eggs, liver, and fish. It is also important to read the nutritional information on the back of all food products to find out the nutritional value of the food and not just the calorie intake.
If you think that you may have a vitamin D deficiency, most importantly consult your physician. These medical professionals will help to develop a safe and effective way to remedy the situation. Taking too much vitamin D may also cause problems and interact with certain medications.
For more information about getting ready for a healthy and active spring feel free to contact us at 518-690-4406, visit our website at www.empirehwc.com or email us at ehwc7@nycap.rr.com.
-William R. Milhizer PT, DPT
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/tc/getting-enough-vitamin-d-topic-overview
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/tc/getting-enough-vitamin-d-topic-overview