Vitamin D For Dummies

Your plain-English guide to the many benefits of Vitamin D

Vitamin D is in the news every day, as new tests and studies reveal encouraging information about its power in maintaining good health and preventing major illnesses. No longer thought to just play a role in calcium intake and bone growth, Vitamin D has a host of other functions in the body, playing a role in prevention of serious diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, as well as boosting immunity, improving athletic performance, losing weight, and more.

This hands-on, plain-English guide is perfect for anyone looking for helpful advice and information on the "nutrient of the decade."

• Coverage of how Vitamin D works, and how much is needed for disease prevention
• How and where to get sufficient amounts of the right kind of Vitamin D – from both your diet and nutritional supplements
• The best ways to maintain healthy levels of Vitamin D

If you're looking to learn more about the many benefits Vitamin D can have on you and your family, you'll find everything you need right here.

Introduction 1

Part I: The Life History of Vitamin D 5

Chapter 1: The Essentials of Vitamin D 7

Chapter 2: Finding Out If You Have Enough Vitamin D 21

Chapter 3: Considering Calcium 43

Part II: Key Roles of Vitamin D 55

Chapter 4: Facilitating Bone Growth and Strength 57

Chapter 5: Protecting the Immune System 79

Chapter 6: Preventing Cancer .99

Chapter 7: Safeguarding Your Heart 123

Chapter 8: Avoiding Diabetes and Related Conditions 137

Chapter 9: Looking at Other Possible Functions of Vitamin D 155

Chapter 10: Furthering Science’s Knowledge of Vitamin D 173

Part III: Getting Enough 179

Chapter 11: Getting Vitamin D from the Sun 181

Chapter 12: Getting Vitamin D from Food 201

Chapter 13: Getting Vitamin D from Supplements 211

Chapter 14: Appreciating Special Needs in Pregnant Women and the Elderly 221

Part IV: The Part of Tens 235

Chapter 15: Ten Myths Regarding Vitamin D 237

Chapter 16: Ten Possible New Functions of Vitamin D 247

Index 255

Alan L. Rubin, MD has been a physician in private practice for more than 30 years. He is the author of several bestselling health titles, including Diabetes For Dummies, High Blood Pressure For Dummies, and Thyroid For Dummies. Your plain-English guide to the many benefits of vitamin D

Vitamin D is getting the attention of the healthcare community and the health-conscious for its power in maintaining good health. It's critical for how your body uses the nutrients calcium and phosphorus to build strong bones. It may also aid in the prevention of serious diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, as well as boost immunity, promote healthy weight loss, and more. If you want to learn more about the many benefits of this amazing nutrient, you'll find everything you need right here.

• Vitamin D 101 — understand what vitamin D is, see how it's formed in the body, and get tips for talking to your doctor about testing your body's vitamin D levels

• Throw vitamin D a bone — discover the key roles of vitamin D, from facilitating bone growth and strength to protecting the immune system and safeguarding your heart

• There's more where that came from — find out how you can get more vitamin D from the sun, which foods are rich in the vitamin, and the best way to add supplements (including when and how to take them)

• Take special note — get the lowdown on the many benefits vitamin D holds for pregnant women and the elderly

Open the book and find:

• What vitamin D is and why you need it

• How vitamin D works in the body

• Recommended levels for optimal health

• Why it's important for children to get enough vitamin D

• Guidelines for safe sun exposure to increase your body's production of vitamin D

• Links between vitamin D and mental health

• Ten myths regarding vitamin D

Learn:

• Vitamin D's role in protecting bones and preventing osteoporosis

• Vitamin D's promising new role in preventing cancer, diabetes, and heart disease

• The best sources of vitamin D

• How to maintain healthy vitamin D levels