The Sunshine Vitamin
FACT : Although we call it a VITAMIN, it is actually a HORMONE because we are able to make it in our bodies! (Vitamins are nutrients which we cannot make in our body)
Your body must have Vitamin D to absorb calcium and promote bone growth. Too little of this vitamin results in soft bones in children and fragile, misshapen bones in adults.
Vitamin D can be consumed in the diet via mushrooms, oily fish, milk (fortified) & eggs although it is very difficult to get daily recommended amounts from just your diet.
The main source is from sunlight
In the Northern Hemisphere though, it is difficult to get enough Vitamin D from the sunlight between the months of October & early March.
Groups at risk of a deficiency:
*Babies and young children, and children and adolescents who spend little time playing outside
*Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers
*People over the age of 65 -their skin is not as good at making vitamin D
*Those with darker skin tones - that is people of Asian, African, Afro-Caribbean and Middle Eastern descent – living in the UK or other northern climates
*If you usually cover most of your skin when you are outside and those living further North
*Anyone who spends very little time outside during the summer – the housebound/office workers/night shift workers
Should you consider taking a Vitamin D Supplement?
YES- Adults & Children over the age of one should consider taking a daily supplement (10 micrograms) especially during the Autumn & Winter months
YES- If you belong to one of the deficiency risk groups listed above
YES- Babies under the age of one should be given a supplement amount of 8.5-10 micrograms daily ( unless they have more than 500mls of fortified formula milk)
If you think that you may benefit from a Vitamin D supplement, consult your GP to discuss which form of supplementation will be best for you.
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