Transform Your Health

Winter is coming – Time to Restart Vitamin D

As Winter approaches it’s time to begin vitamin D supplementation, as it is only stored in the body for about 2 months. 

Vitamin D is important for muscles, nerves and is a major factor in the  immune system.

Together with calcium and magnesium, vitamin D also helps protect bones, but as we spend more time indoors and over-use sunscreens, more people are becoming deficient.

Transform Your Health -Who is at risk? 

•      Those with black or brown skin
•      People who cover up when they go out or avoid the sun
•      People who don’t spend much time outside
•      Those who use lots of sunscreens
•      People with auto-immune diseases
•      People who have poor absorption such as coeliacs and those with Crohns

During the summer, sunbathe sensibly without burning, and during Winter supplement with Vitamin D3 (unless you are at risk then should supplement all year round).

Most supplements contain only 400iu (10ug) but this PubMed article recommends that most adults need around 2,000iu.   

A daily vitamin D supplementation with 2000iu (50 µg) may be considered a simple, effective, and safe dosage to prevent and treat vitamin D deficiency in the adult general population.

If you think you are deficient, get yourself tested. Some GPs will do it, otherwise, Birmingham City Hospital offer a home-test finger prick blood test.  Go to http://www.vitamindtest.org.uk or call 0121 507 4278 for a pack.

Find out more at www.whatseatingyou.co.uk