Everyone knows that calcium is important for strengthening the bones and lowering a person’s risk of suffering from osteoporosis. Did you know that there are some other nutrients that your body also needs to keep osteoporosis at bay? This article will discuss one of the most important of those nutrients as well as its number one source.
More That Just Making Your Skin Glow
It’s no secret that being under the sun can make your complexion a complete traffic-stopper as it can give you a radiant tan. The moment the sun’s UV rays touch your skin, dark-colored pigments called melanin are immediately produced. The more melanin comes into being, the darker and lovelier the resulting tan becomes.
However, it’s not just melanin that is created each time sunlight hits your skin, but also vitamin D. While there are many food sources of vitamin D such as egg yolks, fatty fish like mackerel, tuna and salmon, milk, cheese and other dairy products, still the best source of it is the sun, which is completely free and available all year long. Well, it actually depends on which part of the planet you live.
It’s Needed for Calcium Absorption
There are many different roles that vitamin D plays in the body. According to health authorities, it’s something that’s known to strengthen your immune system. Vitamin D is also important for the proper functioning of the muscles, heart, lungs and kidneys. Based on numerous scientific investigations, vitamin D may help keep certain types of cancer at bay.
Contrary to popular belief, calcium is not the only nutrient the body necessitates to keep the bones strong but a few others as well. One major role player in the fight against osteoporosis is vitamin D. Not too many people, unfortunately, are aware of it.
What makes vitamin D crucial for lowering osteoporosis risk is it makes it possible for the body to absorb calcium obtained from the diet. You may eat all of the calcium-rich foods that you want, but it means nothing of your body is lacking in vitamin D. It’s exactly for this reason why many of the calcium supplements being sold on the current market have added vitamin D in them.
Getting Enough Vitamin D From the Sun
According to health authorities, it’s a good idea for you to spend about 6 minutes under the sun per day during summer if you are fair-skinned. Having dark skin may require you to spend a few more minutes outdoors as lots of melanin on your skin can actually inhibit efficient production of that osteoporosis-fighting vitamin D.
During winter, one must spend up to 40 minutes per day under the sun. But no matter the time of the year, it is highly suggested that you steer clear of the sun between 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon. Otherwise, your risk of skin cancer may become increased.
Don’t Forget the Importance of Exercising
Other than getting enough calcium and vitamin D, experts say that it’s also very important for you to get your regular dose of exercise if you want to considerably lower your risk of osteoporosis. The kinds that cause impact on your joints are superb for strengthening the bones, such as brisk walking, jogging, dancing, trekking and stair climbing.
It’s also a good idea for you to opt for exercise types that build lean muscles. Keeping muscles that support the bones strong can help in fending off osteoporosis and its complications.
