Children who get this vitamin have a healthier heart

Despite the indulgent Israeli sun, your children (and probably you too) should regularly receive vitamin D supplements to strengthen bones, balance minerals and boost the immune system. A new study has found some more superpowers for this vitamin

Helps the immune system especially in children. Child taking medication (Photo: shutterstock)

Toddler receives spoon drug (Photo: ShutterStock)

Vitamin D has been dubbed the "sun vitamin" because it is produced in our skin as a response to sunlight, and helps absorb and use calcium. Although it is primarily recognized for its help in building stronger bones in the body, new research shows that it can also regulate blood glucose levels and immune and cardiovascular function, especially in children. In other words, if Vitamin D was a superhero figure, he must have been muscular and tan, holding one grape cluster in one hand and the other a large knight's shield.

No sun in days, so get yourself some vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. This means it is stored in our fat cells for use when needed. There are two forms in the body: Vitamin D2 reaches the body from food, and is cleared from the body at a higher rate. Vitamin D3 is created by exposing the skin to the sun's ultraviolet radiation, UVB rays, and making it longer and more effective. Only a few foods naturally contain small amounts of vitamin D (for example, salmon with bones in a can, or egg yolks), and it can also be gleaned from a variety of enriched foods.

The recommended daily allowance of Vitamin D is 400 international units (IU) for infants up to one year of age, 600 units from one year to 70 years, and 800 units for adults.

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Our body needs calcium to build and maintain strong bones, but also for our heart, muscles and nerves to function properly. Some studies show that combining calcium with vitamin D may protect us from cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure. The evidence to back up these claims is not complete, but new research seems to back them up.

This is a recent study by the UPMC Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh, revealing that vitamin D supplementation can improve heart health in children. The researchers followed 225 children aged 10-18, who were healthy but had vitamin D deficiency. The second group took 1,000 IU daily, and the third group took 2,000. Follow-up of participants lasted six months. After six months, researchers in the third group, taking 2,000 IU Vitamin D each day, improved their insulin sensitivity and showed decreased blood glucose levels. The children who took 1,000 units also suffered from lower blood pressure.

Sun is one way to absorb Vitamin D, but its radiation is dangerous. Girl in field blowing in Savyon (Photo: ShutterStock)

Girl in field blowing in Savyon (Photo: ShutterStock)

"Current recommendations on taking Vitamin D are related to optimum bone health, but we know that Vitamin D is most involved in building bone health," said Kumarabal Rajakumar, lead author. "It can activate and turn off genes that target our cells, regulate blood glucose levels and immune systems and blood vessels." The research team found that improving insulin sensitivity, lowering blood glucose levels and lowering blood pressure as a result of vitamin D supplements can help reduce the risk of diabetes and also improve heart health.

In a previous study, researchers from the age of 6 to 18 who were born with low vitamin D levels were about 60 percent more likely to have high systolic blood pressure (at the time of ventricular contraction). Children who persistently experienced low vitamin levels during childhood were at twice the risk of increased systolic blood pressure between the ages of 3-18. Studies have also shown that high doses of vitamin D supplement can help children gain weight and develop muscle and bone health, along with a healthy immune system.

And what happens when you take too much vitamin D?

A 2017 study determined that too much dose of this super hero, the vitamin Sun, could lead to fractures, falls, kidney stones and even cancer. Vitamin D helps the body use calcium to support bone health, but increased intake of it can cause excess calcium absorption in the blood and can lead to soft tissue damage, such as the heart and kidneys.

Previous studies have linked high doses of vitamin D supplements to increased risk of serious side effects, especially when used in combination with calcium supplements, the researchers noted. Other studies suggest an association between high doses and increased risk of prostate and pancreatic cancer and early death.