10 Nov The sunshine Vitamin D – are you getting enough?
The sunshine Vitamin D – Are you getting enough?
Vitamin D is produced naturally in response to sun exposure and from eating vitamin D rich foods. Inn the winter months our levels naturally drop and many of us become deficient.
Did you know? Despite its name it is actually a hormone!
Benefits of Vitamin D:
- Healthy bones and teeth
- Fights the flu
- Reduces Depression
- Boosts weight loss
- supports our Immune system
- Regulates insulin and helps prevent diabetes
Are you suffering any symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency?
- regular sickness or infection
- tiredness, aches, fatigue
- back pain or bone pains
- low mood
- impaired wound healing
- hair loss
- muscle pain
Apart from sunshine what other sources of vitamin D are there?
Getting sufficient sunlight is the best way to help the body produce vitamin D. Plentiful food sources include:
- fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and tuna, shrimp
- egg yolks
- cheese
- beef liver
- mushrooms
- fortified milk and yogurt
- fortified cereals and juices
Can I supplement and how much do I take?
Yes – good idea! Especially if you live in big cities with pollution, are spending more time indoors and have darker skin. (the higher levels of melanin the les vitamin D is absorbed)
Normal blood serum levels are 50 to 100 mcg. Recommended iu
- children and teens: 600 IU
- adults up to age 70: 600 IU
- adults over age 70: 800 IU
- pregnant or breastfeeding women: 600 IU
PHE recommends supplementation of vitamin D, especially in the winter months. If you don’t already supplement with vitamin D it may be worth considering.
We recommend an oral spray called Better You D Lux 1000 vitamin D daily. One spray a day keeps the doctor away!
Talk to us for more recommendations or if you think you are deficient and how to get tested.