The Importance of Vitamin D for Brain Health

The Importance of Vitamin D for Brain Health

Vitamin D is vital for our body as it regulates calcium homeostasis and maintains bone integrity. 

We aim to discuss how vitamin D helps in the function of neuronal tissue and the many health complications due to vitamin D deficiency.

 Vitamin D supplementation for kids

Recommended daily intake of vitamin D in babies’ more than 1 year old needs at-least 1000 IU from vitamin D, maintaining the daily intake of this vitamin protects kid’s mental health and supports their nervous system.

Vitamin D supplementation for kids has many benefits to brain functions such as: 

1. Improves cognitive functions and boosts brain development. 

2. Improves motor development and strengthens a child’s bones, muscles and nerves to move and touch the surrounding. 

3. Improves the ability to understand and develop verbal language.

4. Increases study performance as it improves concentration and limits memory loss. 

5. Enhances behavioral development.

Vitamin D deficiency affects baby’s brain!

Vitamin D is considered a potent antioxidant for the brain tissue, as it reduces brain cell damage due to oxidative stress! As it’s depletion causes these symptoms: 

• Limitation of brain growth and development.

• Reduces chemical neurotransmitters that help regulate brain functions. 

• Difficulties in concentration and sleep. 

• Increases the risk of depression. 

• Delays in improving and understanding language. 

Vitamin D is importance for babies during maternity 

Vitamin D is important for child’s brain development especially in the early years of life when the brain is developing and is sensitive to nutrient deficiencies! Low vitamin D levels during pregnancy may affect baby’s brain functions, as some studies conducted show that vitamin D deficiency in mothers may result in learning difficulties, depletion in serotonin and dopamine levels and memory problems.

Vitamin D is one of the most important nutrients that is required during pregnancy as pregnant mothers are prone to vitamin D deficiency!

Lack of Vitamin D during maternity has been linked to higher risk for infantile rickets and poor neonatal development! That’s why we should be aware of vitamin D supplementation to maintain a child’s mental and neurological health.

There are receptors for Vitamin D in the central nervous system that play an important role in neurodevelopment and in preventing neurological tissue damage as they have an antioxidant effect that maintains nervous system health. In many studies low vitamin D levels have been linked to many mental and neurological health problems such as dementia, depression, autism, multiple sclerosis and schizophrenia. In addition, scientists have linked vitamin D as it is considered as a fat-soluble nutrient to a number of functions throughout the body including brain functioning as it crosses the blood brain barrier to bond to their own receptors.

In conclusion, many studies have shown that vitamin D supplementation enhances overall mental health, prevents anxiety and depression, controls negative thoughts and boosts concentration and memory! 

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