Vitamin D, essential for strong bones and immunity, is often called the “sunshine vitamin” because our body produces it when exposed to sunlight.
However, here’s a fun fact
Did you know
Vitamin D is not a vitamin—it’s a hormone! Unlike other vitamins we get primarily from food, our bodies produces it when sunlight touches our skin. This is nature’s way of keeping us strong.
Are you curious to know how our body converts sunshine to vitamin D? Let’s dive deep and explore its journey from the sun to skin and beyond.
The journey of vitamin D starts at the skin. The 7-dehydrocholesterol present in the skin absorbs UV -B radiation (a type of ultraviolet light). The dehydrocholesterol the UV radiation to pre-vitamin D3, which is then isomerized to vitamin D3. The journey doesn’t end here. Both vitamin D3 and pre-vitamin D3 absorb UV radiation giving rise to many other photoproducts, each with its unique property.
We now have vitamin D in our body. But, it cannot use it as it is. Our body, specifically our liver metabolizes vitamin D to 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the most circulating form. This is further metabolized to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D by your kidneys. This is the most biologically active and important form of vitamin D.
Here’s a simplified illustration of it’s journey
Why do we need vitamin D?
Out of all your organ systems, the skeletal system needs vitamin D the most. Why is it so? It helps in calcium and phosphate regulation and helps keep your bones strong. Almost all cells in our body have receptors for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin. It hence influences a wide range of biological functions in our body. This explains why people who live at higher altitudes have an increased risk of chronic diseases that affect their immunity, and skeletal, and cardiovascular systems.
Low levels of vitamin D are often linked to osteoporosis because it helps absorb calcium and phosphorous from your food. Without enough calcium absorption, you cannot have enough calcium to keep your bones strong, resulting in the weakening of bones, osteoporosis, and Ricketts. It also helps reabsorb calcium from your kidneys.
Doing this for 10-30 minutes a day can help you keep your bones strong
Yes, spending 10-30 minutes under direct sunlight will help in the effective utilization of the UV rays to make vitamin D. So, naturally, the best time to get your daily dose of vitamin D is between 10 am and 4 pm.
A yet another reason to increase your vitamin D levels
Have you ever felt good and happy after a stroll or jog in the sun? An elevated level of vitamin D is known to enhance your mood by increasing serotonin, one of your happy hormones. So, vitamin D indirectly reduces depression and anxiety.
What if you can’t meet the sun?
For several reasons, you might not be in a position to get direct exposure to sunlight, thereby reducing your chances of synthesizing vitamin D. In that case, you may look for alternatives like supplements, egg yolks, or certain fishes like herring.
This was the journey of vitamin D from the warmth of the sun to the strength of our bones. As you see, this sunshine vitamin plays a vital role in our health and keeps our bones strong, our immunity resilient, and our mood uplifted. So, take a stroll outside, soak up some sun, and let your body harness the power of nature’s vitamin.
Fascinating read, thanks for sharing.