Vitamin D and Athletic Performance Essay

2. Vitamin D- A group of steroids; resistant to heat, oxidation, acids, and bases; stored in liver, skin, brain, spleen, and bones. Promotes absorption of calcium and phosphorous; promotes development of teeth and bones. Sources: produces in skin exposed to ultraviolet light; in milk; egg yolk; fish liver oils; fortified foods. Excess: Diarrhea calcification of soft tissues, renal damage. Deficienceis: Rickets,bone decalcification and weakening.

From the electronic database searches, several articles were appropriate. The first, "Vitamin D deficiency and depression in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis", was designed to find a relationship between Vitamin D and depression (Anglin, Samaan, Walter, & McDonald, 2013). Although, limited by the lack of random control trials, the data was presented in a uniform and consistent manner (Anglin et al., 2013). The results were in line with their goal, finding that low Vitamin D levels did correlate with increased depression (Anglin et al., 2013). Second, Meehan, and Penckofer, provided their inductive, exploratory opinion of "The role of Vitamin D in the aging adult" (2014). Although, the study was short and depression symptoms were self-reported, it, nevertheless, showed a correlation between low levels of Vitamin D and depression symptoms (Meehan, & Penckofer, 2014). The third article, "Vitamin D supplementation to prevent

Boosting your immune system,Vitamin D helps your body regulate the absorption of your calcium and phosphorus.

Vitamin D plays a critical role in many normal bodily functions as well as fighting against a wide number of health barriers. In an article by Jacqueline Kanopa, studies revealed that exposure to ultraviolet rays play a huge part in Vitamin D production, as well as having preventative effects on a disorder known as rickets; which leads to weakened bones due to lack of Vitamin D. This study supports the belief that exposure to UV rays play a critical role in Vitamin D production, and can be beneficial to those prone to certain

Although the vitamin is present in various foods, poor diet along with limited sun exposure may contribute to low vitamin D status among many. Receiving adequate sun exposure may be particularly challenging for those who live in colder regions, spend most of their time indoors, or wear SPF or clothing that covers their skin while outdoors (6).

Northeastern junior Colin Magee is like other athletic students around campus. He played sports in high school and now lifts weights at the Marino Center, Northeastern’s multi-million dollar workout center, several times a week. Also like many other weight-lifting students, Magee takes performance-enhancing supplements.

After looking at my analysis I was surprised because there I was lacking a lot of vitamins and minerals. Without minerals, our bodies wouldn’t be able to function which is why I was worried when I saw my reports. I was lacking vitamins such as Vitamin A where my intake was 392.53 mcg when it’s supposed to be at a high 700.00 mcg. I also barely had one of the most important vitamins in my body, Vitamin D. Being one of the most important vitamins to our body a Vitamin D deficiency is not healthy for the body in any way possible. Restraining from Vitamin D can cause problems such as fatigue, hair loss, depression, anxiety, bone weakness, and being prone to more diseases because your body isn’t fighting off the illnesses brought in from the outside. Aside from lacking vitamins, I’m also lacking a good number of minerals. The recommended amount of Calcium is about 1,000mgs, but my intake fell under 454mgs. Calcium is one of the most important minerals for the human body for the bones to grow stronger to prevent diseases such as osteoporosis, which is commonly found in women after the age of 50. Osteoporosis is a common disease where the bones become weak from loss of tissues around the bone structure. Not only is osteoporosis caused by lacking Calcium, but is also caused by Vitamin D deficiency, which are two things that my body lacks. If I don’t increase my vitamin/mineral intake it could be a huge determent to my

As most people, you are your best medical care advocate. You must inquire early about your vitamin D levels almost every time you see your healthcare provider and get blood work done. If you show signs of lower vitamin D levels, you should make a plan with your doctor for ways to reach a recommended level. Some people can achieve a recommended level through diet or sun exposure, however, getting enough through food and sun exposure comes with its own risks. Those individuals who cannot achieve the recommended levels through diet or sun exposure can take supplements in a pill form. There is some information online about recommended daily intake levels, but levels will vary from each individual. Setting up a plan with your healthcare provider for how much vitamin D you need to take and continual monitoring is the best route. These is some adverse effects that involve the cardiovascular system and kidneys, therefore, I would highly recommend making a plan with your health care

Since I have lacked to meet adequate amounts, I am at risk for certain deficiencies. Deficiency symptoms for vitamin A are fairly common and results in night blindness, eye disease, dry pimply skin, increased infections, and kidney stones. Deficiency symptoms for vitamin D include soft bones, soft teeth, and rickets, although it

Throughout my four years at Whittier College I have taken a variety of courses which have enabled me to write this paper in a knowledgeable and purposeful manner. My minor in nutrition as well as my major in kinesiology has supplied me with a foundation to further research this specific disease as well as diet. I have taken diet and disease which has provided me with an understanding of how diet impacts health and how specific chronic diseases have a direct correlation with the science of nutrition and the lifestyle choices that individuals make. I have also taken numerous nutrition courses which include upper division courses such as; fundamentals of nutrition, the science of nutrition, and sport nutrition. All of these courses have enabled me to become an expert in nutrition as it relates to diet as well as the classification of nutrients, digestion, biochemical processes, and crop sustainability. In addition to these courses, I have also taken chemistry and exercise physiology, both of which have permitted me to have a greater understanding to help distinguish the process by which our bodies consume, digest, metabolize, and store nutrients and how they effect our bodies (Thompson, Manore, & Vaughan, 2014). In this specific paper I have also been able to use my knowledge in sociology of sport as well as the history and

Most of my childhood was spent outside, drinking out of the hose, and not coming in until the dinner bell rang. Many children nowadays are stuck on the television or IPad so they are not meeting their needs of Vitamin D.

Hamilton (2011) proposed that Vitamin D appears to be a potentially limiting factor in athletes and leads to deficiency during training. Studies show that levels of 20-30ng/ml 25 OH-Vitamin D is an insufficient amount of Calcium for athletes that have gone through training and levels below 20 and 10ng/ml represents deficiency and severe deficiency (Hamilton 2011). Calcium or Vitamin D deficiencies may have significant long term health effects and have been known to lead to: bowel and colonic cancer, arthritis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in some athletes. The biggest health risk associated with this is the increase amount of stress fractures and muscle atrophy problems. Vitamin D is directly proportional,

Vitamin intake is a commonly overlooked necessity in basic nutritional health. What most people do not know is that certain vitamin deficiencies can cause many health risks and problems. Many people believe that are getting all the vitamins they need from their diet, however most of the time they are not. One of the most common vitamin deficiencies is the low intake of Vitamin D. There are some vitamins that are produced by the body such as vitamin K; however some of the most important vitamins are not produced by the body. Vitamin D is one of the vitamins that our body needs to function correctly that is not naturally produced by the body. Vitamin D can be consumed through

The scene is set. It is 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, and the final heat of the Olympics is about to commence. The sprinters have been training their entire lives for the opportunity at hand, and the outcome of the most important event of their lives is going to come down to mere milliseconds. With a gold medal on the line, these athletes will be looking for any advantage they can get, whether big or small. One direction these athletes turn for an advantage is supplements. Supplements have emerged as a way for athletes to increase their performance, yet their use is very controversial. Supplements, varying from simple multivitamins to complex chemical supplements, are used by almost every athlete, whether recreational or professional,

A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that 75 percent or more of American teens and adults are deficient in Vitamin D. That is why we have so many serious illnesses, like cancer, diabetes and heart disease (Huff, 2010).