Vitamin D and its role in certain conditions

Arrhythmia

Arrhythmia is a condition in which the heart regularly misses a beat. Normally the heart beats 60 to 80 times per minute while resting and up to 200 times during physical exercise. Too much caffeine, certain drugs, smoking, and unknown factors can cause arrhythmia .
Symptoms:

• Chest discomfort
• Palpitations
• Difficulty breathing
• Spells of light-headedness

Vitamin D helps regulate the heartbeat. This vitamin also helps proper functioning of the heart muscle and helps the body in absorbing and utilising calcium – a mineral necessary for proper functioning of the heart.

Dental decay

Cavities are caused by the interaction of bacteria with the left over food particles causing decay and weak spots in the tooth’s enamel.
Vitamin D helps strengthen the tooth enamel to increase its resistance to decay. However, it cannot treat cavities or prevent decay. Regular brushing, flossing, and periodic visits to the dentist ensure healthy teeth.

Bony Fractures

• A fracture is a broken bone caused by a powerful physical force.

Vitamin D is essential for healthy and strong bones. It is also a vital nutrient for bone repair. It also helps the body in absorbing calcium – a mineral crucial for bone rejuvenation.

Lower back pain

Pulled, strained, or weak muscles cause lower back pain. Causes of lower back pain include poor posture, poor sleeping habits or sleeping on a soft lumpy mattress, weak stomach muscles, bending at the waist while lifting heavy objects.

Vitamin D helps backache by increasing the strength and flexibility of the muscles. It also aids calcium absorption, which in turn helps alleviate backache by relaxing the cramped muscles.

Leukaemia

• Myelogenous leukaemia is a condition in which cancerous white blood cells are formed in the bone marrow. It affects people between the ages of 35 and 60. The exact cause of the illness is not known.

Some people may not display any symptoms for a long time after having the disease. Treatment for this disease involves chemotherapy followed by bone marrow transplant. Vitamin D is helpful after bone marrow transplantation because it promotes the formation of new and healthy red blood cells and bone cells.

Osteoarthritis

• Osteoarthritis is an age related disorder but can also affect younger people. It is caused by the wear and tear of a joint.

Research has shown that people with arthritis tend to have low levels of vitamin D. Vitamin D helps prevent and slow down osteoarthritis by maintaining healthy bones and cartilage.

Osteoporosis

Bones are made of tissues that create blood cells and store calcium and phosphate. Osteoporosis is a condition that occurs when the stores of calcium within the bones are depleted. Bones begin to become more and more porous and delicate and tend to break easily.

The most vulnerable areas of the body are hips, vertebrae, and wrists. Women are the prime victims of this disease because of lower levels of calcium in their bodies and they become more susceptible after menopause. Other causes include lack of exercise, low calcium and vitamin D intake, and use of corticosteriod drugs.

Vitamin D helps prevent osteoporosis by building new bone tissue, increasing bone density, and aiding the body’s absorption of calcium.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin ailment characterised by silvery or red flaky patches that can grow to cover larger and larger areas. These patches appear due to a faster than normal growth of the skin cell. The exact cause of the disease is not known though heredity is often a factor.

Other factors that are linked to psoriasis include poor liver function, weak immune system, and build up of unhealthy toxins in the colon.
Topically applied vitamin D3 ointment helps diminish the symptoms of psoriasis by slowing down the skin cell growth. These are not an alternative to taking Vitamin D as they are poorly absorbed.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is believed to be caused by a virus that provokes the body’s immune system to attack itself. It affects the joints and is characterised by aching and stiff joints, swelling in the joints and local fever in affected joints.

Vitamin D plays a vital role in building healthy bones. Vitamin D is particularly helpful for arthritis sufferers who are on corticosteriod drugs, which can cause bone loss, leading to osteoporosis.

Seasonal affective disorder

• This disorder is a kind of depression caused by the lack of sunlight. It typically occurs in late autumn, winter, and early spring. It is thought that perhaps deprivation of sunlight activates biochemical changes in the brain that cause depression.

Recent research suggest that vitamin D supplements may be just as affective as actual ultraviolet light in regulating the brain chemicals causing seasonal affective disorder.

Sprained muscles

A sprain is caused by an injury to the muscles and/or ligaments that connect the bones. It is usually the result of a violent twist or stretch.
Vitamin D helps repair damaged tissue and forms healthy new tissue. It also helps body absorb calcium.

Infectious illnesses

Frequent colds and flu indicates a weak immune system. Weak immune systems can be caused by, genetics, heavy drinking, unhealthy diet, smoking, stress, and drug abuse. Vitamin D helps strengthen the immune system. It achieves this by aiding the body in the production of immune system cells that help destroy bacteria and viruses.