Why do I need vitamin D?
We all know that the warmth of the sun beating down on our skin makes us feel good and provides us with vitamin D.
So why is vitamin D so important? How can you tell if you are lacking in it? What can you do during the gloomy winter months to maintain a healthy level?
- Your body must have vitamin D to absorb calcium and to promote strong, healthy bone growth. Low levels could result in soft, thin and brittle bones, known as rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. It is also an essential factor in making sure your muscles, lungs, heart and brain work well and helps regulate the immune system.
- Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency may be vague but can include tiredness, low mood, general aches and pains and flu like symptoms. Severe deficiency may produce pain in the bones and generalised weakness, which can compromise mobility.
- Vitamin D is produced naturally when your skin is exposed to the sun. You can also get small amounts through your diet by consuming foods such as salmon, mackerel, tinned tuna in water, sardines in oil, milk or yogurt fortified with vitamin D, beef or calves liver, fortified cereals, egg yolks and cheese. It may not be possible to get enough vitamin D through diet alone which is where supplements can be beneficial.
- We stock Vitamin D-3 capsules here at the clinic.