Vitamins D is a fat-soluble seco-sterol hormone precursor that is responsible for sustaining optimal levels of calcium and phosphorus in our blood stream. To some extent, Vitamin D is manufactured by our skin though exposure to sunlight. The best time for sunlight exposure is during the spring and fall seasons.. Winter sunlight is too weak for the production of Vitamin D. Many of us do not get enough exposure to sunlight during the year. We have been convinced that the sun is not good for our skin, so when we are exposed to sun we have come to use clothing and sun screen to “protect” ourselves from the sun. Most of us spend most of our time indoors. These factors have resulted in making Vitamin D deficiency a common if not major health problem. It has also been found that older people and many younger women, especially African-American women, and those who live in Northern climates with less time exposure to sunlight are at risk for Vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D is essential in reducing bone fractures and increasing bone strength and density. It has been found that higher quantities of calcium alone in our diets does not reduce the risk of bone fracture or significantly increase bone density and strength. The reason for this is that calcium needs to be absorbed in order to be beneficial. Vitamin D is essential in increasing the absorption of calcium. This is especially important for women in producing and maintaining healthy, strong bone structure and prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Children need Vitamin D to help their bones mineralize during rapid bone growth. Of course, we all know the importance of the absorption of calcium enhanced by Vitamin D for the development and maintenance of oral bone and tooth health. Vitamin D may very well help us keep our teeth.

In the Northern part of our world and during the winter many people suffer from SAD i.e. seasonal affective disorder. SAD is a form of depression most probably due to reduced exposure to sunlight resulting in less production of Vitamin D. It has been found that supplemental intake of Vitamin D is superior to light therapy in reducing the condition of SAD. It has also been found that blood pressure is elevated during the winter and in people with less exposure to sunlight. Research has shown that people with little exposure to sunlight, who add Vitamin D supplementation to their diets, experience lowering of high blood pressure and lower heart rate. The absorption of calcium though the use of sufficient amounts of Vitamin D has been found to prevent and reduce hypertension..

Vitamin D has been found to provide a critical function in many metabolic processes, such as our cell growth, our immune system, and our cardiovascular health. Low levels i.e. deficiency of Vitamin D has been found to be a factor in congestive heart failure for many older people. Extensive research is being conducted to determine the effect of Vitamin D deficiency in the growth of certain cancers. The lack of absorption of calcium because of Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to seizures. Because of Vitamin D’s effect on the maintenance of healthy levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood stream and absorption of calcium and phosphorus, Vitamin D has been shown to be helpful in treating kidney failure.

Vitamin D has been shown to increase muscles strength, especially large muscle e.g thighs, calves, arms, and diaphragm. Vitamin D has also been found to reduce muscle pain by helping repair the damage of muscle strain. This is especially important as we age.

More and more evidence is being found confirming the vital importance of Vitamin D for our general health as well as for our bone health. Unfortunately, relying on exposure to sunlight for our skin to produce Vitamin D, has it’s limitations such as winter, geographic location, indoor lifestyle, etc. It would be wise for us to insure that we are receiving enough Vitamin D by adding a Vitamin D supplement to our diets in single form or through multiple vitamin formulas containing healthy amounts of Vitamin D.

The positive effects of the use of discount vitamins are more prevalent today than in the past. It is estimated that there are approximately 44.3 million people in the United States with a diagnosable mental disorder. These can range from depression, bipolar disorder, and premenstrual syndrome, to schizophrenia and anxiety disorders. In light of those tough statistics, mental health and medical professionals know that keeping the body and physical wellbeing healthy, can actually decrease the symptoms related to most mental illnesses.

The most important step of all is to first see a doctor or mental health specialist, either to be tested and diagnosed or to discuss with them the alternative discount vitamins that are best for your situation. While many of the disorders are rather different from one another, the types of vitamins used to treat them are fairly common.

* Depression – Depression can be a side effect to some other drugs, including oral contraceptives. Your doctor or specialist may want to perform a test on what are called the homocysteine levels in order to check for folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiencies. If diagnosed with depression, there are several choices in discount vitamins and supplements including folate, vitamin B12, amino acid supplements – specifically the amino acid L-tryptophan, and vitamin B6. Another popular treatment with those who prefer natural medicines is the use of ginkgo biloba. Ginkgo is also used to treat asthma, hypertension, Alzheimer’s disease and more.

* Bipolar Disorder – Bipolar Disorder, closely associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder, is naturally treated with some of the same vitamins as depression and anxiety. Most commonly used are a mixture of vitamin B1, vitamin B6, zinc, vitamin B2 and vitamin B complex. Studies have also shown that these same vitamins in addition to biotin, boron, and manganese and fish oil can be used to treat Bipolar Disorder II.

* Anxiety – As one of the most common forms of mental illness, anxiety at certain levels can also cause fatigue, psychological and physical stress, excessive alcohol consumption and even anorexia and insomnia. Anxiety studies have also shown a links to folic acid deficiency. Many treatments include vitamin B12 and folic acid. In recent years, St. John’s Wort has become a popular alternative due the ingredients hypericin and pseudohypericin, which has also shown to be helpful in ceasing anxiety.

* Premenstrual Syndrome (also know as PMS) – For women, this is one of the most common types of disorders. In recent studies, it has been shown that most women do not take the Recommended Daily Allowance for magnesium, which is now believed to be one of the causes for premenstrual syndrome. Magnesium is known for relating to mood changes, so it is one of the most common supplements used in treating PMS. Calcium and vitamin D are also good for premenstrual syndrome. Four servings of skim of low fat milk is a great way to get that extra calcium needed.

* Schizophrenia – Schizophrenia is a disabling and chronic brain disorder that affects approximately one percent of people in the world. Pyridoxal-5-phosphate, the active form of vitamin B6, is very important to the brain functioning normally. This supplement, along with folic acid, methylfolate, niacin, and vitamin C are some of the vitamin supplements used to treat schizophrenics.

Once there has been a determination of the vitamins that can be used in your specific case, purchasing quality vitamins at a discount price is the next step. These can be found anywhere from vitamin outlet stores, the Internet, magazine and on television through home shopping channels. The Internet, being the most convenient way to shop, offers consumers a world of opportunity in finding the best quality discount vitamins at the most reasonable price. The most desirable sites offer considerable information all the vitamins and herbs they sell, showing that they are committed to the overall health and well being of the customers. These sites break down each vitamin and provide an explanation of how it should be used, the dosage amount and size. In addition, some offer their customers health and wellness articles that can provide the most up-to-date information of discount vitamins, health issues, and alternative medicines, in turn giving each customer the ability to make the right decisions in the purchases they make.

Water is another extremely important part of keeping ourselves healthy. To many, water is just water and nothing else, but recently this has changed. Now called “Functional Water” by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), bottled water is now classified by its origin.

* Spring water – spring water derives from the point where ground water flows, sometimes flowing as a result of snow and ice melting or rain.

* Purified water – This water can come from any source (ocean, spring, well, etc.), but is then purified using a process called reverse osmosis.

* Mineral water – Mineral water contains minerals which can alter or change the taste of the water. This water is one of the most popular types purchased, and commercially offered in over 3000 brands.

* Distilled water – Distilled water is used in many ways, most commonly known for being used to clean car batteries. The water becomes distilled by boiling it and re-condensing the steam into a container, thus removing any contaminants.

* Vitamin added water – As one of the most popular types of water available today, this water is available with or without additional flavors, such as strawberry, lemon or grape. The vitamin water contains distilled water, electrolytes, and vitamins such as C, B6, B12 and E.

No matter the choice of discount vitamins chosen or the type of water that best fits your tastes, these simple and inexpensive additions to everyday life can truly change the way you think and feel. Dealing with a mental illness can be one of the hardest things in life, but there is help available. Making an appointment and speaking to your doctor or a health professional today can give anyone the ability to start living a life that is more fulfilling and happy.