Vitamin D, otherwise known as calciferol, is a fat-soluble vitamin found in foods, supplements, and certain outside sources. It is considered to be one of the most important immune system-strengthening nutrients. It also has a powerful ability to reduce the risk of cold and flu if taken regularly.

The amount of Vitamin D you should be taking depends on your current lifestyle. A big factor in your Vitamin D levels is the amount of sun you get daily. Calciferol is also known as the Sunshine Vitamin, as UV-B radiation turns the cholesterol in your skin into a natural source of Vitamin D. However you get it, Vitamin D is vital to maintaining your immune system.

How Does Vitamin D Work?

Calciferol works unlike any other hormone in that it’s able to affect both the innate and adaptive immune systems. The specific effects of Vitamin D are less widely studied than what a deficiency of it can cause, as calciferol deficiency is most often seen in patients with autoimmune diseases.

How Can I Get Vitamin D?

You can enjoy many foods that contain a fair amount of Vitamin D. Most fatty fish and seafood can provide you with almost all of your recommended daily intake from just a single serving. 

If you’re a vegetarian, you can still get your calciferol for a meal by eating more mushrooms, the only plant that produces Vitamin D in the same way that the human body does.

There are also many supplements on the markets that can supplement your Vitamin D intake. Make sure you take at least 2,000 IU daily. 

And Vitamin D is only one of the many vitamins and minerals you can take advantage of to thrive. If you want to learn more, contact us today at the Center for Natural & Integrative Medicine.