Vitamin D

What is Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a hormone produced in the skin when directly exposed to sunlight. It increases the body’s absorption of calcium and phosphorus.  Unfortunately Vitamin D is broken down quickly in the body and stores can remain low especially in the short dark winter months of the UK causing a deficiency.

Vitamin D has multiple roles in the body, essential for both skeletal and non skeletal health.

It is needed in bone and mineral metabolism promoting healthy bones and teeth. Low levels of Vitamin D have been found to be linked to increased inflammation and Arthritis.  Recent research has also shown a link between low levels of Vitamin D and severe complications from Covid 19. 

Keeping your Vitamin D levels topped up reduces the risk of :

  • Fractures
  • Osteoporosis.
  • Cancers,  (breast prostate colon)
  • Infections such as the flu 
  • Autoimmune diseases (Parkinsons)
  • Dementia
  • Cardiovascular disease – (high blood pressure, heart disease)
  • Diabetes mellitus. 

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include:

  • Regular infections
  • Fatigue
  • Bone pain
  • Back pain
  • Low mood
  • Impaired healing
  • Hair loss
  • Muscle pain
  • Fractures
  • Weight gain
  • Digestive problems
  • Skin disorders

Sources Of Vitamin D:

  • Sunlight
  • Fish
  • Egg yolk
  • Cheese
  • Liver
  • Mushrooms
  • Fortified milk & cereals

It is difficult to get enough vitamin D from our diet or sunlight exposure alone. The UK government advice is that everyone should take a daily vitamin D supplement.

Vitamin D deficiency is common in all age groups, with a high prevalence especially in the Black and Asian population.

Certain groups are more at risk:

  • The elderly.
  • People with darker skin.
  • People with reduced sun exposure, those that spend a lot of time indoors.
  • Those that cover large proportions of their body.
  • Pregnant and breastfeeding women.
  • People with Bowel disease e.g Coeliac, Crohn’s disease
  • Those on medication such as Carbimazole, phenytoin.

Vitamin D is administered as an intramuscular injection saving an individual having to remember to take oral tablets on a daily basis to achieve the recommended levels of vitamin D needed for optimum health.