Why this time of year is even more important to maintain your Vitamin D levels
Vitamin D is essential for bone strength and may be good for supporting the immune system and other functions. The human body produces vitamin D as a response to sun exposure, which of course is difficult in the Winter months. Certain foods and supplements can also boost a person’s vitamin D intake.
Vitamin D helps with:
Healthy Bones: Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption and helps maintain adequate blood levels of calcium and phosphorus, which is necessary for healthy bone mineralisation. Long-term vitamin D deficiency can also present as Osteoporosis.
Immune Function: An adequate intake of vitamin D may support good immune function and reduce the risk of autoimmune diseases. There has been links to long-term vitamin D deficiency and the development of autoimmune conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Deficiencies of Vitamin D are high during this time of year - but factors that impact deficiency include:
- Skin colour: Pigmentation in the skin reduces the body’s ability to absorb ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from the sun. Absorbing sunlight is essential for the skin to produce vitamin D.
- Lack of sun exposure - which means people should aim to consume vitamin D from food sources or vitamins whenever possible.
- Older adults: The skin’s ability to synthesize vitamin D decreases with age. Older adults may also spend more time indoors.
- People with obesity: High levels of body fat can limit the body’s ability to absorb vitamin D from the skin.
Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency include:
These conditions can lead to secondary symptoms including:
- bone fragility, especially in older adults
- osteoporosis
- bone pain
- fatigue
- muscle twitching
- muscle weakness
- myalgias, or muscle pain
- arthralgias, or joint stiffness
To find out more about our range of Vitamin Treatments - including Vitamin D - please contact us directly