It also helps the heart, lungs, kidneys, and other organs to function correctly. The sun can brighten up your mood, and so can vitamin D. According to a 2017 review article in the journal Neuropsychology, researchers found "a significant relationship between depression and vitamin D deficiency.” While they acknowledged that more research is needed to define the exact workings of it—such as, if low vitamin D levels are a cause or effect of depression—the authors recommend “screening for and treating vitamin D deficiency in subjects with depression” noting that it is an “easy, cost-effective and may improve depression outcome.”, RELATED: More People Are Taking Vitamin D Than Ever. Health.com may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. This article reviews the…. Retinyl palmitate is the storage form of the vitamin. May reduce blood uric acid levels and help prevent gout attacks, 7. This is especially useful for people on a meat-free diet, as meat is a major source of iron. Many people believe that vitamin C can help prevent or even cure colds. Studies suggest that oxidative stress and inflammation near the brain, spine, and nerves (altogether known as the central nervous system) can increase the risk of dementia (28). Gout is a type of arthritis that affects approximately 4% of American adults (13). “It can support the immune system by fighting off harmful bacteria and viruses,” she says. Here are the top 7 benefits of vitamin C supplements, all backed by science. “There is particular interest in its role in viral infections such as influenza and coronavirus,” Barry Boyd, MD, RDN, a Yale Medicine hematologist, oncologist, and nutritionist, tells Health. The effect of inositol supplements on the psoriasis of patients taking lithium: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Vitamin D—nicknamed the "sunshine vitamin" due to its ability to be absorbed by the body through sunlight—is a major player in keeping the human body healthy. Approximately one-third of American adults have high blood pressure (6). follicular hyperkeratosis, leading to dry, bumpy skin. Nasrallah and Newgent. These are converted to retinol in the body. It is a powerful antioxidant and acts as a hormone in the body, affecting the expression of genes and thereby influencing phenotype. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, Respiratory failure in COVID-19 usually not driven by cytokine storm, Link between food insecurity and cardiovascular death found, COVID-19: High blood sugar raises death risk in those without diabetes, Drug to reduce bleeding could treat COVID-19, COVID-19 live updates: Total number of cases passes 60 million, Everything you need to know about vitamin B-12. Vitamin A supplements are available for those who have difficulty absorbing the nutrient, but it is best to meet needs through food, not in isolation. “Vitamin D may help increase muscle strength thus preventing falls, which is a common problem that leads to substantial disability and death in older adults.”, RELATED: How to Get Vitamin D, According to Doctors. High blood pressure puts you at risk of heart disease, the leading cause of death globally (7). Many factors increase the risk of heart disease, including high blood pressure, high triglyceride or LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, and low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol. Vitamin C supplements can help improve the absorption of iron from the diet. At high levels, it may crystallize and deposit in the joints. It’s actively transported to the skin, where it can act as an antioxidant and help strengthen the skin’s barriers (22). Researchers found that the supplement alone helped control their anemia (20). First, vitamin C helps encourage the production of white blood cells known as lymphocytes and phagocytes, which help protect the body against infection (21). While it’s commonly advised to get your vitamin C intake from foods, many people turn to supplements to meet their needs. They do so by protecting cells from harmful molecules called free radicals. Its main job, according to the National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements, is to promote calcium absorption, making it necessary for bone growth and bone remodeling (when mature bone tissue is removed and new bone tissue is formed). RETINOIDS AND CAROTENE (vitamin A; includes retinol, retinal, retinyl esters, and retinoic acid and are also referred to as "preformed" vitamin A. Provitamin A is stored in fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based products. Dr. Boyd points to various studies—most of which are referenced on the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) website—that provide some evidence that vitamin D may have cancer fighting powers. While there appears to be a strong link between vitamin C intake and uric acid levels, more studies on the effects of vitamin C on gout are needed. People with gout experience swelling and sudden, severe attacks of pain (14). It may also reduce the risk of iron deficiency. Plant-based foods contain carotenoids, antioxidant forms of vitamin A. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Moreover, people with high blood pressure should not rely on vitamin C alone for treatment. He points to a 2017 BMJ analysis of 25 randomized control trials comparing vitamin D supplements to placebos, which found that vitamin D reduced the risk of acute respiratory infection with either daily or weekly vitamin D supplementation, particularly in individuals who were deficient in it. Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide (7). The NCI specifically calls out a few reasons why researchers are interested in a link between vitamin D and a lowered risk of cancer. Here are nine vitamin D benefits you need to know about—including ways to get more of the vitamin in your daily diet. Too much vitamin A can be toxic and cause hypervitaminosis. Retinol is also available as an anti-aging skin cream. This, too, should not be used by pregnant women. Preformed vitamin A can be toxic when consumed in excessive amounts, either through diet or supplementation. For example, a study including 1,387 men found that those who consumed the most vitamin C had significantly lower blood levels of uric acid than those who consumed the least (15). For example, an analysis of 9 studies with a combined 293,172 participants found that after 10 years, people who took at least 700 mg of vitamin C daily had a 25% lower risk of heart disease than those who did not take a vitamin C supplement (10). Vitamin A can be found in orange plant foods, meat, eggs, and milk. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. You already know vitamin D is important for bone health, but its benefits don't stop there. Researchers have found that insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas contain vitamin A receptors, and that blocking them reduces insulin secretion. What’s more, low vitamin C levels have been linked to poor health outcomes. "I'm petrified," the actress said when she shared the news that her breast cancer came back. However, if you already consume a vitamin-C-rich diet, then supplements may not provide additional heart health benefits. Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for healthy vision, teeth, skeletal tissue, and skin. Vegetable sources that are rich in carotenoids are: Plant foods rich in beta-carotene include: The recommended intake of vitamin A varies according to age and sex. “Evidence is increasing that vitamin D supplementation may improve cancer outcomes,” he explains. The common cold is the most frequent infectious disease in humans. According to a 2019 review published in the journal Current Protein & Peptide Science suggests that vitamin D may play a role in treatment of high blood pressure—one of the markers of cardiovascular disease—says Newgent. While studies are not conclusive, vitamin D may be helpful for preventing both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, says Newgent. Gout symptoms appear when there is too much uric acid in the blood. Stay in your living room and still spike your heart rate. What are the health benefits of vitamin D? It’s water-soluble and found in many fruits and vegetables, including oranges, strawberries, kiwi fruit, bell peppers, broccoli, kale, and spinach. Vitamin C assists in converting iron that is poorly absorbed, such as plant-based sources of iron, into a form that is easier to absorb (18).