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We all know that vitamin D is essential for good health, but are you getting enough?
It is an essential, fat soluble nutrient which is involved in the function of each body system, not least the immune system, partly by functioning as a hormone.1 It is likely that low levels of vitamin D may play a role in many of the health issues which are unfortunately so prevalent nowadays.
Statistics show that up to 25% of the general UK population may be deficient in vitamin D.2 The body is able to produce large quantities of vitamin D when exposed to UVB light, giving vitamin D its name as the ‘sunshine vitamin’. Dietary sources include cholecalciferol (vitamin D3 from predominantly animal sources e.g. eggs, oily fish) and ergocalciferol (vitamin D2, from plant sources e.g. mushrooms, tofu). In the modern world, it is common to spend extensive time indoors, overuse sunscreen, and have a poor quality diet lacking in these foods, all of which can contribute to low levels of vitamin D. Certain individuals may be especially vulnerable to deficiency, including:
For example, if you’re on a few medications, your work life is leaving you stressed and tired with a few bugs going around at home, you may benefit from some vitamin D.
So, why is vitamin D essential to health, and why can vitamin D deficiency be so detrimental to our health and wellbeing?
As you can see, vitamin D deserves its place in the nutritional first aid kit.
Got a question?
The brand you can talk to:
We have a team of Nutritionists at the end of our advice line, open to you, for product support and advice (5 days a week). 0121 433 8702 or clinicalnutrition@biocare.co.uk
Or head to our advice page where you can find Healthnotes.
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3 Outila TA et al. Dietary intake of vitamin D in premenopausal, healthy vegans was insufficient to maintain concentrations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and intact parathyroid hormone within normal ranges during the winter in Finland. J Am Diet Assoc. 2000;100(4):434-41.
4 Whiting, S.J. and Calvo, M.S. (2006) Overview of the Proceedings from Experimental Biology 2005 Symposium: Optimizing Vitamin D Intake for Populations with Special Needs: Barriers to Effective Food Fortification and Supplementation. Journal of Nutrition, 136 (4), 1114-1116.
5 Hatun, S., Islam, O., Cizmecioglu, F., Kara, B., Babaoglu, K., Berk, F. and Gökalp, A.S. (2005) Subclinical Vitamin D Deficiency Is Increased in Adolescent Girls Who Wear Concealing Clothing. Journal of Nutrition, 135, 218-222.
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