Vitamin D has always been essential for humans, but up to a few years there were few who were interested in its functions.
It was mainly women in menopause who did this, given the crucial role played in the well-being of the bones and therefore in the prevention of osteoporosis.
However, it has made a strong comeback in the last year and a half, due to the spread of Covid-19 and the resulting pandemic.
This is because vitamin D also appears to be involved in the proper functioning of the immune system against pathogenic microorganisms.
The spread of news related to this ability found fertile ground just as we were all struggling with a virus.
This is how the demand for supplements and the search for foods and products capable of increasing their concentration has increased exponentially.
In fact, a large part of the population is deficient in this vitamin, which is not easy to accumulate in the body.
Where to find it
The main source of vitamin D is exposure to sunlight.
According to the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, during the brightest months, from March to September, it should be quite easy to stock up on vitamin D.
Despite this, there are some factors that can affect this transformation mechanism, which is instead put to the test by the winter months.
Another way of supplementing vitamin D is through nutrition.
Mushrooms, liver, egg yolks and some types of fish (salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel) are particularly rich in it.
Finally, it can be taken through special food supplements, which, however, do not have healing properties.
Vitamin D-based drugs behave differently but require the prescription of a competent doctor after careful evaluations and examinations.
Supplementing vitamin D is essential but watch out for the dangerous interactions with these drugs
However, those who take certain types of drugs must be careful about taking vitamin D.
Drugs “susceptible” to dangerous interactions are those:
- for the heart, especially those that contain digitalis. The risk is that of an alteration of the heart rhythm due to the possible overproduction of calcium;
- for blood pressure, especially those based on diltiazem and verapamil may see their effectiveness reduced;
- for psoriasis;
- diuretics, especially those based on thiazide. These have the possible effect of a reduced ability to eliminate calcium in the urine.
A simultaneous intake of vitamin D could lead to an excess of calcium in the blood.
Therefore, supplementing vitamin D is essential but watch out for the dangerous interactions with these drugs.
It is important not to hesitate to contact your family doctor before embarking on a process of supplementing this vitamin on your own.
Deepening
One of the most used herbs in the kitchen is not recommended for those who take anticoagulants and diuretics