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Vitamin D or the sun vitamin is an essential nutrient for the body. It fulfills several important functions, such as strengthening the immune system, maintaining the nervous system and regulating insulin levels. According to a new study, vitamin D is also important for maintaining your fitness. Participants in the study with high levels of vitamin D were found to have better cardiorespiratory fitness. Cardiorespiratory fitness is a measure of your body's ability to carry oxygen to your muscles during exercise. The cardiovascular fitness level of a person indicates how well your muscles are able to absorb oxygen.
The study, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, found that the higher the vitamin D levels, the better the cardiorespiratory fitness. However, this association was only observed between a person's cardiorespiratory fitness and vitamin D levels. It has not been proven whether high levels of vitamin D improved the overall physical condition.
Read also: Low levels of vitamin D strongly linked to an increased risk of diabetes
How to increase vitamin D levels naturally?
Vitamin D is naturally produced in the body when exposed to the sun. This is the reason why it is also known as sun vitamin. When the sun shines on your bare skin, the body makes its own vitamin D. But the body needs more vitamin D than it can get after sun exposure.
Fatty fish like salmon and tuna are rich sources of vitamin D
Photo credit: iStock
Dietary sources of vitamin D
Common dietary sources of vitamin D include salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines. Small amounts of vitamin are found in egg yolks, milk and other dairy products.
Newborns get their vitamin D intake from breast milk. However, it should be noted that neonates do not consume an excessive amount of vitamin D, as this can result in loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, excessive thirst and muscle aches.
Read also: Do you want to reduce the risk of cancer? Make sure your vitamin D levels are optimal
Vitamin D deficiency
Common symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include muscle weakness and bone fragility. Severe vitamin D deficiency in children can cause rickets in children. Low levels of vitamin D or vitamin D deficiency have also been associated with heart disease. However, it is not clear if sufficient levels of vitamin D will reduce the risk of heart disease. Very high levels of vitamin D can damage the blood vessels and increase the amount of calcium in the blood.
Vitamin D levels are likely to be low in the elderly. Older people with vitamin D deficiency probably have poor memory. In addition, vitamin deficiency can increase the risk of dementia or mental decline.
Also read: 6 serious signs that your vitamin D levels are too high
You can test your vitamin D levels with the help of a blood test. The blood test is known as the 25-hydroxyvitamin D test. Healthy vitamin D levels, for good overall bone health, are 20 ng / ml. Some doctors recommend that higher levels, about 30 ng / ml, be needed to take full advantage of vitamin D.
Disclaimer: This content, including tips, provides generic information only. It is not in any way a substitute for qualified medical advice. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim any responsibility for this information.
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