You'll often hear about how important it is to have vitamin C as a part of a healthy diet, but what about vitamin D? It's known that vitamin C is powerful because of its ability to strengthen the immune system, but vitamin D plays a very important role in personal health as well. A study from the Archives of Internal Medicine shows that approximately 77% of Americans are vitamin D deficient. Why is vitamin D so important? Below are a few reasons why you should be making vitamin D a priority in your daily supplements. 

• Calcium and bone health. Vitamin D is a necessary nutrient in keeping calcium levels stable and healthy in the blood stream. This strengthens bones and prevents brittleness as we age. 
• Insulin and diabetes prevention. Insulin production is a major factor in all types of diabetes. When you get your daily dose of vitamin D, insulin can be produced at a regular rate, therefore helping prevent diabetes. 
• Boosting the immune system. Vitamin C may be the forefront champion of immune defense, but vitamin D is also a major factor in regulating and modulating the immune system. Vitamin D helps the immune system function more efficiently, preventing sickness. 
• Digestive health. Vitamin D assists the intestines in absorbing very important nutrients, such as calcium. 
• Regulating blood pressure. Healthy amounts of vitamin D in the body can regulate blood pressure and reduce high blood pressure, tension and stress. 
• Brain health. Vitamin D has also been shown to stimulate brain health and assist in keeping the mind and brain sharp in people age 65 and older. 

Many people are deficient in vitamin D because few foods are enriched with the nutrient. Instead, edibles such as milk and cheese have been fortified with the vitamin (originally to battle a rickets epidemic in the 1930s). You can also get vitamin D from sunlight, but many people are concerned about being exposed to dangerous rays. Now, vitamin D can be purchased as a supplement and added to your regular diet. 

Remember that before making any changes to your diet, you should consult a physician. Talk to your doctor about what level of vitamin D is right for you. Need advice? You can contact the team at Aventura Hospital and Medical Center by calling our Consult-A-Nurse service at 1-888-256-7692.

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