Wise Advice: Discovering the Secrets of Vitamin D

In recent years, Vitamin D has gained widespread recognition. What role does it play in our health?

Vitamin D is one of the four fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), meaning that they require a fatty environment to be absorbed efficiently by the body. Vitamin D has numerous and diverse roles. Its primary function is to maintain the health of the body's bones and teeth by supporting the absorption of various minerals, particularly calcium and phosphorus, in bones and teeth.

Vitamin D plays an important role in strengthening the immune system in several ways: a. It is essential for the development of white blood cells that protect us from pathogens. b. It is crucial for the development of mucous cells in various parts of the body, especially in the respiratory system. All of these serve as the first line of defense against pathogens trying to penetrate our body.

The vitamin regulates insulin levels in the body, thereby assisting in the metabolism of sugars. The vitamin prevents the development of cancer cells and even contributes to the destruction of these cells. This is particularly known regarding breast cancer and colon cancer. Additionally, recent studies show the involvement of this vitamin in several diseases, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, depression, and more.

One of the intriguing questions about this vitamin is that, as is well-known, our body, with the help of the sun, can produce it—why, then, in recent years, is there a recommendation to take the vitamin? Furthermore, tests have shown that at least a third of Israelis suffer from a deficiency in this vitamin, even though Israel is considered a sunny country. Some explain that the deficiency arises because people avoid sun exposure due to the increasing awareness of skin cancer. Others argue that the processed and low-nutrient food we consume today does not provide a sufficient basis for the vitamin's absorption and production in the body. Moreover, even if the concern about low-nutrient food is not enough, a high percentage of the population suffers from digestive disorders, which lead to problems in food absorption—and hence, difficulties in absorbing the vitamin (along with other vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients). Additionally, the high rate of obesity in the population prevents the absorption of the vitamin because it tends to accumulate in fatty tissues instead of circulating freely in the blood and reaching important areas. Therefore, it is recommended to take the vitamin in cases where a deficiency has been identified, rather than relying on diet.

In food, the vitamin is found in various fish such as salmon (which has the highest amount), in eggs (3 – 4 eggs per week), and more. It is rare in plant-based foods but can be found in spirulina algae, moringa fruit, and shiitake mushrooms. It is important to note that high caffeine consumption may interfere with the absorption of Vitamin D.

Eliahu Shechter is an iridologist and natural therapist