6 Reasons why monitoring your vitamin D levels is important
Many individuals experience low levels of Vitamin D during the fall and winter without necessarily having a deficiency, meaning that the levels of Vitamin D fall outside the reference range. Vitamin D is crucial for various bodily functions, and to fulfill its tasks, Vitamin D collaborates with other nutrients. Here are some of them.
Calcium and vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for promoting the absorption of calcium in the intestines and regulating calcium levels and its utilization in the body. Calcium is a vital component in bone structure, and Vitamin D helps ensure adequate amounts of calcium are available for bone formation and mineralization. Thus, Vitamin D works towards maintaining healthy bones and preventing skeletal diseases like rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults.
Parathyroid hormone and vitamin D
Parathyroid hormone plays a central role in maintaining calcium levels in the blood. If blood calcium levels drop, parathyroid hormone stimulates the skeleton to release calcium into the bloodstream.
Phosphorus and vitamin D
Similar to calcium, Vitamin D plays a crucial role in the absorption of phosphorus from food in the intestines. Activated Vitamin D (calcitriol) increases the absorption of both calcium and phosphorus, ensuring these minerals are efficiently taken up in the blood and utilized in the body. Vitamin D and parathyroid hormone regulate phosphorus levels in the blood by stimulating the release of phosphorus from bones. Phosphorus, like calcium, is essential for good bone health, and Vitamin D also ensures adequate phosphorus levels. Phosphorus balance is also crucial for cellular energy production and nervous system function.
Magnesium and vitamin D
For Vitamin D to be activated and transformed into its active form, calcitriol, in the body, magnesium is required. Low magnesium levels can impact Vitamin D metabolism, affecting calcium and phosphorus absorption in the intestines, bone mineralization, the immune system, muscle function, and regulation of inflammation. Read more about how magnesium and Vitamin D are interconnected.
Vitamin K2 and vitamin D
Vitamin K is a group of fat-soluble vitamins necessary for blood clotting and bone metabolism. Alongside Vitamin D and calcium, Vitamin K2 plays a role in bone metabolism. It directs calcium to the bones and teeth to promote optimal bone mineralization and prevent calcium deposition in blood vessels and soft tissues. K2 activates proteins involved in calcium regulation, especially in blood vessels. It can help prevent abnormal calcium deposition and support vascular health. Like other forms of Vitamin K, K2 is involved in the synthesis of coagulation factors necessary for blood clotting.
Zinc and vitamin D
Zinc is involved in many immune processes, such as the production of white blood cells and cytokines regulating immune response. Vitamin D can increase the body's absorption of zinc from the intestines and the transportation of zinc through the blood, supporting overall immune function.
Measuring these markers alongside Vitamin D can provide a more comprehensive assessment of nutritional status and how different nutrients interact in the body.
