Low vitamin D levels may make recovery from breast cancer surgery more painful, according to a study of 184 women undergoing mastectomy. <\/span><\/p>\n
About Vitamin D<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Vitamin D (also referred to as <\/span>calciferol<\/b>) is a <\/span>fat-soluble<\/b> vitamin that is <\/span>naturally present in a few foods<\/b>, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement.<\/span><\/li>\n
Also known as the <\/span>sunshine vitamin<\/b>, it is <\/span>produced endogenously when ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight strike the skin<\/b> and trigger vitamin D synthesis.<\/span><\/li>\n
During periods of sunlight<\/b>, vitamin D is <\/span>stored in fat<\/b> and then <\/span>released when sunlight is not available.<\/b><\/li>\n
Very few foods naturally contain<\/b> vitamin D. Most people get vitamin D in their diet from foods that are fortified. This means that vitamin D is added to the food. These foods may include milk, cereal, and yogurt.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
Foods that naturally have vitamin D include <\/span>egg yolks, saltwater fish, and liver.<\/b><\/li>\n
The amount of vitamin D you need each day depends on your age.<\/span><\/li>\n
Why is Vitamin D So Important?<\/b>\n
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Vitamin D p<\/span>romotes calcium absorption a<\/b>nd helps <\/span>maintain adequate levels <\/b>of <\/span>calcium and phosphorus<\/b> in the blood, which is <\/span>necessary for healthy bones<\/b> and <\/span>teeth.<\/b><\/li>\n
Without sufficient vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen.<\/span><\/li>\n
Vitamin D has other roles in the body, including <\/span>reduction of inflammation <\/b>as well as <\/span>modulation of such processes as cell growth, neuromuscular<\/b> and <\/span>immune function, <\/b>and glucose metabolism.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
Vitamin D Deficiency:<\/b>\n
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In children<\/b>, vitamin D deficiency<\/span> causes rickets<\/b>, a disease in which the<\/span> bones become soft, weak,<\/b> deformed<\/b>, and <\/span>painful<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
In teens and adult<\/b>s, vitamin D deficiency <\/span>causes osteomalacia<\/b>, a disorder that <\/span>causes bone pain<\/b> and muscle weakness.<\/span><\/li>\n
Vitamin D deficiency may be <\/span>more common in people with higher skin melanin content (darker skin)<\/b> and who<\/span> wear clothing with extensive skin coverage.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
Can Vitamin D be Harmful?<\/b>\n
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Very high levels <\/b>of vitamin D in your blood can <\/span>cause nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness,<\/b> confusion, pain, loss of appetite, dehydration, excessive urination and thirst, and kidney stones.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
Extremely high levels <\/b>of vitamin D can cause <\/span>kidney failure, irregular heartbeat, <\/b>and <\/span>even death.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n