Every doctor I have ever seen has strongly encouraged me to take vitamin D supplements, and I have used them faithfully for the last several years. For decades, the medical establishment viewed vitamin D primarily as an adjunct to calcium– a nutrient that we need simply for maintaining bone health and preventing rickets. However, our bodies need vitamin D for much more than its ability to strengthen bones and prevent rarefied childhood diseases. Vitamin D is, in fact, one of the most important micronutrients in a woman’s lifestyle.
The human body acquires vitamin D primarily through sunlight, but our modern, indoor lifestyles necessitate the consumption of vitamin D-fortified foods and supplements. Here are just a few of the most important reasons that women need vitamin D.
1. Vitamin D can ease muscle pain. Many women suffer from chronic muscle pain in the arms, legs, back, neck or hips. One of the earliest symptoms of vitamin D deficiency is persistent pain and weakness, and these symptoms of inadequate vitamin D intake may be misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia or depression. A vitamin D supplement can prevent this common recurrent symptom in women.
2. Good vitamin D intake prevents osteoporosis. Most young women don’ t yet show symptoms of osteoporosis, but it affects many women over 40 and most women over 60. The prevention of osteoporosis is one of the most effective and well-researched uses of vitamin D. No matter your age, it’s important to take vitamin D to protect your bones from this common and serious condition.
3. Vitamin D can prevent common cancers in women. Breast cancer and cervical cancer are the most common forms of cancer affecting women– and they are both among the leading causes of death. Although evidence is still emerging, current science suggests that vitamin D supplementation can dramatically reduce the lifetime risk of these potentially fatal cancers.
4. Supplements containing vitamin D can improve heart health. Subclinical vitamin D deficiency is a major risk factor for several forms of heart disease, and medical experts have long recognized the nutrient’s role in cardiovascular health. Because women are very susceptible to hypertension and other forms of heart disease, it is important to address vitamin D deficiency and other potential underlying causes for these complex conditions.
5. Vitamin D can elevate mood. Mood disorders, including depression, anxiety, irritability, seasonal affective disorder, and premenstrual syndrome, are extremely common among women. Vitamin D appears to play a role in preventing these disorders and mitigating their severity. Further evidence is needed to weigh vitamin D’s value as a treatment for mood disorders.
Although vitamin D supplements are very safe and appear to effectively prevent and treat several medical conditions, they are not appropriate substitutes for effective medical intervention. Talk to your primary health care provider before using vitamin D supplements to treat any medical condition.
The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements offers more information about vitamin D’s benefits for women.
