The truth about Vitamin D and why you should start knitting right now!
The truth about Vitamin D and why you should start knitting right now!
Vitamin D supplement facts and Lanolin sheep wool. How knitting can increase your physical and mental wellness.
What does vitamin D have to do with knitting? And why it’s important to know…
First let’s start with what is Vitamin D? As stated in Wikipedia , Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble secosteroids responsible for increasing intestinal absorption of calcium, magnesium, and phosphate, and many other biological effects. In humans, the most important compounds in this group are vitamin D₃ and vitamin D₂.
How is Vitamin D3 activated in humans? Here Wikipedia also let us know, it is activated by two protein enzyme hydroxylation steps, the first in the liver and the second in the kidneys.[3] As vitamin D can be synthesized in adequate amounts by most mammals if exposed to sufficient sunlight, it is not essential, so technically not a vitamin.[2] Instead it can be considered a hormone, with activation of the vitamin D pro-hormone resulting in the active form, calcitriol, which then produces effects via a nuclear receptor in multiple locations.[2]
What is Vitamin D supplements made of? And how are they made. According to Eric O Verger from Institute of Research for Development, "Summary: The four major commercial products of vitamin D are vitamin D3 and D2, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 1α-hydroxyvitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is manufactured from cholesterol which is isolated from wool grease. The cholesterol is converted chemically to 7-dehydrocholesterol which is irradiated with UV light to form pre-vitamin D3 and cisvitamin D3, the biologically active precursors to the vitamin D3 metabolites. The irradiation and heating processes are carefully controlled to avoid generating the many isomeric inactive forms of the vitamin from being generated. Vitamin D2 is obtained using similar irradiation techniques with ergosterol. Ergosterol is obtained from yeast fermentation. Most of the manufacturing of cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol is currently being done in China. Worldwide use is 97.3 metric tons. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 is predominately made from 25-hydroxy-7-dehydrocholesterol which is produced through a process involving fermentation of modified yeast. 1α-Hydroxyvitamin D3 is made through a chemical process starting with pure vitamin D3."
How does this relate to knitting?
The answer is Sheep Wool of course! Yarn is made from sheep and sweaters are made from yarn. Still confused?
Ok it’s the Lanolin also called wool yolk, wool wax, or wool grease, is a wax secreted by the sebaceous glands of wool-bearing animals.[1] Lanolin used by humans comes from domestic sheep breeds that are raised specifically for their wool. Historically, many pharmacopoeias have referred to lanolin as wool fat (adeps lanae); however, as lanolin lacks glycerides (glycerol esters), it is not a true fat.[2][3] Lanolin primarily consists of sterol esters instead.[4] Lanolin's waterproofing property aids sheep in shedding water from their coats. Certain breeds of sheep produce large amounts of lanolin.
Lanolin's role in nature is to protect wool and skin from climate and the environment; it also plays a role in skin (integumental) hygiene.[2] Lanolin and its derivatives are used in the protection, treatment and beautification of human skin.[2]
It’s all in the yarn choice!
Knitting with natural low processed yarn will still have lanolin on it, so while you are knitting your project you are also giving yourself a supplemental dose of Vitamin D! Just remember that natural sheep yarn is 100% wool with NO synthetic fibers.
Here are some great natural yarn brands you can get started with:
A great way to get a double dose of vitamin d in your life is to knit outside.
Reference: Wikipedia, Institution for research and development,
Dr Berg Vitamin D Comes From Sheep's Wool YouTube Video