What Does Vitamin D Cream Do?
Give me some sunshine or give me vitamin D. Well, what if you didn't have to choose? Vitamin D, or the sunshine vitamin, is an essential nutrient that comes from the sun. The sun's ultraviolet B (UVB) energy penetrates the skin and then converts to vitamin D3. But if you don't have time to soak up some rays, you may need a vitamin D supplement. This article will answer the question, what does vitamin D cream do?
Benefits of Vitamin D Cream
Supplements come in many forms, and the most popular is a vitamin D topical cream. If you have a vitamin D deficiency, it may have one or more of the following benefits for your health.
May Help with Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes painful, itching, and inflamed skin. One risk of developing psoriasis is a vitamin D deficiency. Some studies show that taken in regular doses can improve the body's ability to rejuvenate skin and fight psoriasis and eczema. (1) You dab a topical vitamin D ointment on your skin as treatment.
May Rejuvenate the Skin
Another topical benefit is that vitamin D is a natural antioxidant. When applied topically, it helps fight radical damage and soothe stressed skin. The biological effect is that your skin feels and looks tighter and more supple. It may also reduce the effects of too much sun exposure. (2)
May Alleviate Muscle Pain
Muscle pain can happen when you have low vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is a natural anti-inflammatory that may ease painful muscle pain. You rub the topical vitamin D cream into your skin to alleviate pain associated with inflammation and sore muscles.
Other Vitamin D benefits
Topical vitamin D has direct benefits for the skin, but it may also help with other health conditions, including:
- Improve skeletal health by preventing osteoporosis
- Helps prevent prostate cancer, breast cancer, and other malignancies
- Aids weight loss
- Helps fight anxiety and depression
Signs of a Vitamin D Deficiency
In the past, it was common for people to work longer hours in the sun. However, the types of work have changed, and more people spend time indoors. Also, the rampant use of sunscreen limits UVB exposure, leading to vitamin D deficiency.
According to Harvard Health, Americans are shockingly low in vitamin D. 42% of all African American women between the ages of 15 to 49 are vitamin D deficient. Higher than one third in one study of healthy young people (18-29) had low vitamin D levels. (3) If you’re deficient, you may have one or more of the following signs. (4)
- Weak immune system
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Bone and back pain
- Psoriasis
- Anxiety and depression
- Bone loss
- Hair loss
- Muscle pain or weakness
Receiving vitamin D cream through a transdermal route is proven safe and effective. (5) If you suspect you have a deficiency, start discovering what a vitamin D cream can do for you today.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3130965/
- https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/skin-health/vitamin-D
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/vitamin-d-and-your-health-breaking-old-rules-raising-new-hopes
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15050-vitamin-d--vitamin-d-deficiency
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3976443/
