The Warrior That Protects Our Immune System: Vitamin D

A deficiency of vitamin D causes deterioration in bone structure, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, and many different diseases. Internal Medicine Specialist Prof. Dr. Yaşar Küçükardalı pointed out that vitamin D deficiency significantly increases the risk of diabetes, heart, and circulatory diseases, and even cancer.

Prof. Dr. Yaşar Küçükardalı said that in order for vitamin D to become active in our body, our skin must come into contact with the sun's rays and underlined that although we are a sunny country, vitamin D deficiency is common in Turkey.

Yaşar Küçükardalı stated that this result was clearly revealed by the researches on the subject and said, “In a study, it was determined that approximately 70 percent of our total population has vitamin D deficiency, and it is especially intense in our Central Anatolia region.”

Closing the Gap Takes Time

The main source of vitamin D is sunlight or foods rich in vitamin D. Unfortunately, it is not possible to close the vitamin D deficiency in a short time. Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Internal Medicine Specialist Prof. Dr. Yaşar Küçükardalı said, “If the person has a disease that causes high calcium levels, such as multiple myeloma, sarcoidosis or hyperparathyroidism, blood calcium levels should be monitored while treating vitamin D deficiency.”

Vitamin D is Essential for a Strong Immune System

Stating that vitamin D has an important role in the immune system, Prof. Dr. Yaşar Küçükardalı said, “90 percent of the need for vitamin D is met by the skin through sunlight. Apart from sunlight, ayran, kefir, cheese, yogurt, butter, tuna fish, salmon, mackerel, fish oil, liver, egg yolk, sweet potato, and mushrooms are among the most important sources of vitamin D. Vitamin D fights disease-causing viruses and bacteria by keeping the immune system strong. It helps to reduce the risk of infectious diseases such as influenza and tuberculosis.”