May 23, 2025 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

Vitamin D for Adults: The Benefits of this Vital Nutrient

Are you aware that Vitamin D is one of the most crucial nutrients for adults? Besides being essential for our bones and teeth, it provides us with a host of other health benefits. Let’s talk about Vitamin D for adults, including how to get enough of this vital nutrient.

What Is Vitamin D? 

Vitamin D is an umbrella term. It can refer to two different things. First, it is a nutrient that your body needs for good health. Second, it is a group of compounds that your body can convert into calcitriol. The body needs this hormone to perform several critical functions, including regulating how much calcium is in the blood and helping cells communicate.

How It Benefits Adults

Vitamin D is essential for adults because it helps maintain bone health, prevent osteoporosis, improve muscle strength, reduce the risk of falls, and lower the risk of some cancers. Additionally, it regulates insulin levels, promotes immune system health, and reduces inflammation.

Here are two simple ways to make sure you get enough vitamin D:

  1. Spend time in the sun. Your body can produce enough vitamin D with just a few minutes of sun each day.
  2. Take a supplement. If you spend little time in the sun or do not eat enough foods that contain this nutrient, you might need to take a supplement to get enough of it. The quickest and most enjoyable way to get your daily recommended IU (international units) of vitamin D is to supplement with vitamin D gummies for adults.

Adults Most at Risk for Deficiency

People at risk for Vitamin D deficiency should ensure they get enough. Those at risk include older adults and obese individuals. Other groups are people with dark skin or who get little sun exposure.

You should incorporate this vitamin into your daily recommended vitamin intake if you belong to one of these groups. If you do not want to invest in supplements to get vitamin D or spend time in the sun due to time constraints or because you sunburn easily, then eat foods high in Vitamin D. One excellent source is fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel. Egg yolks also contain vitamin D, as do fortified foods such as milk, orange juice, and cereals.

Symptoms of Deficiency

In adults, vitamin D deficiency can lead to bone problems like osteomalacia. Postmenopausal women and adults over 50 are most susceptible to this condition. Since it can cause softening of the bones, it can lead to an increased risk of falling. Additionally, because of inadequate bone mineralization, their bones may become fragile and break easily.

Typically, this condition develops slowly and does not cause any symptoms in the initial stages. As the condition advances, however, people will notice bone pain and muscle weakness.

The primary treatment of osteomalacia is to correct the underlying vitamin D deficiency. You can do this by consuming certain foods, taking supplements, or exposing yourself to the sun. 

The most common treatment usually involves just taking vitamin D and calcium supplements; however, in severe cases, it may be necessary to take medication.

If you suspect that you may have osteomalacia, talk to your doctor. They can order tests to check your vitamin D levels and bone health. Early diagnosis and treatment of osteomalacia are essential for preventing complications.

Be Careful Not to Overdo It!

While vitamin D is good for you, too much can cause toxicity. Although this is a rare condition, it is worth mentioning. Vitamin D toxicity is characterized by nausea, vomiting, weakness, and loss of appetite. Call your doctor immediately if you suspect you might have vitamin D toxicity. Also, stop taking supplements or eating vitamin D-rich foods.

in NEWS
Related Posts

Nikó Sando and Malou Coffee & Kitchen Are the Newest Additions to Brentwood’s Food Scene

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

The Duo of New Eateries Offers Refined Japanese Sandōs and Globally Influenced Coffee Brentwood has welcomed two exciting new additions...

Dawn Richard Testifies Diddy Assaulted Cassie Ventura at a WeHo Restaurant in 2010

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Combs Hit Cassie “Hard” in Front of Usher and Ne-Yo, Says Danity Kane Star Singer and former Danity Kane member...

Exclusive Interview with Cardinale du Vin’s New Chef-in-Residence Paul Chuanchaisit

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

The Westside Wine Bar Expands Its Culinary Horizons With a Bold New Menu By Dolores Quintana Cardinale du Vin is...

Memorial Day Weekend in L.A.: Rosé, Beach BBQs, and Brunches Ring in the Summer

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

The Westside Is Packed With Culinary Events, Pop-Ups, and Parties This Weekend Angelenos looking to kick off the summer season...

(Video) Interview with Chef Roy Choi for his new book The Choi of Cooking

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

We speak with the world-famous Socal Chef in Manhattan Beach at the Los Angeles Public Library.

FDA Probes Salmonella Outbreak Tied to Recalled Cucumbers Distributed in California

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

At Least 26 People Sickened and 9 Hospitalized in Multiple States  Federal health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of...

Thieves Use Cars to Smash Into Fairfax Stores in String of High-End Burglaries

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

LAPD Investigates String of Vehicle-Driven Break-Ins at Specialty Boutiques Storeowners in the Fairfax District are grappling with concerns about safety...

State Farm Seeks New Insurance Rate Hikes for California Homeowners and Renters

May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025

Insurer Aims to Raise Premiums by up to 52% for Some Policyholders by 2026 Just one week after receiving approval...

Mayor Bass Launches Major Initiative to Boost Film Production in Los Angeles After Years of Neglect

May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025

Facing Industry Setbacks, L.A. Rolls Out Plan to Attract On-Location Shoots In a renewed effort to preserve Los Angeles’ status...

Lisa Vanderpump, Ken Todd Settle Labor Lawsuit with Former Pump Employees for $490K

May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025

Judge Approves Final Class-Action Settlement in Long-Running Wage Dispute Lisa Vanderpump and her husband, Ken Todd, have reached a final...

Michelin Three Star Institution Brings 20th Anniversary Culinary Experience to Beverly Hills

May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025

Grant Achatz’s Alinea Heads to Beverly Hills for Summer Residency Renowned chef Grant Achatz and his team at Alinea, Chicago’s...

Deadline Approaches to Apply for GLAAD’s 2025 Black Queer Creative Summit

May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025

Program Returns in September to Support Emerging Black LGBTQ Creatives The deadline to apply to the 2025 Black Queer Creative...

West Hollywood City Manager David Wilson to Retire After 26 Years of Public Service

May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025

Wilson to Retire After Guiding West Hollywood Through COVID and Beyond David Wilson, West Hollywood’s City Manager and a longtime...

L.A. County DA Files Over 1,000 Felony Theft Charges Under Prop 36 in Retail Crime Crackdown

May 19, 2025

May 19, 2025

DA Nathan Hochman Unveils Major Enforcement Effort Targeting Organized Retail Theft Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced...

LGBTQ+ Advocates Condemn Newsom Administration Over $17 Million Health Equity Cut

May 19, 2025

May 19, 2025

LGBT Center Calls State Funding Rollback a ‘Betrayal’ of Queer and Trans Communities LGBTQ+ advocates are sharply criticizing Governor Gavin...