This winter more than ever, we’re all concerned with staying healthy. That’s why it’s important to keep our immune systems in shape and the importance of one powerful supplement: vitamin D.
Winter brings with it longer nights and shorter days. The sun, though often bright, reduced in its power, its presence limited. As a major source of Vitamin D, a lack of sunshine can have an impact on our body and how it functions.
Power of the sun
Vitamin D is unique in that it is both a vitamin and hormone that our bodies can make from the sun. It is an essential vitamin as it is needed to help build strong bones and teeth which can ultimately help in the prevention of osteoporosis. Vitamin D is also important for maintaining immune system balance which is critical during the current Covid pandemic. It protects against various autoimmune diseases, while enhancing the first line of defence against invading microorganisms.
Vitamin D deficiency
It’s estimated that 1 in 5 people in the UK are vitamin D deficient due to a lack of sun exposure vital in its production.
With this in mind it’s important to look at alternative sources of Vitamin D. This may be through diet: Vitamin D is found naturally in a small number of foods, including oily fish, red meat, liver and egg yolks. It’s also found in fortified foods like breakfast cereals and fat spreads. For recipe ideas using foods rich in Vitamin D, check out our Nutritional Therapist Dominique Ludwig.
You could also consider taking a daily Vitamin D supplement. Public Health England (PHE)recommends that adults and children over the age of one should have 10 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin D every day, especially in the autumn and winter months.
We spoke with Meyer Clinic Medical Director Dr Annelize Meyer to get her thoughts on supplementing with Vitamin D.
“Vitamin D plays an important role in the immune system which, given the current Covid pandemic, needs to be in a good shape to combat any infection. Vitamin D is naturally made in the skin under the action of sunlight. In the winter months, we spend more time inside and there is less sunlight so our levels of the vitamin drop.
“This year more than ever it is essential to boost our immune system which is why I would encourage people to take a Vitamin D supplement especially to help build up their immunity to viruses such as coronavirus. They are readily available, fairly inexpensive and easy to take. I particularly like Nutri Advanced D3 Drops.
“Taking a Vitamin D supplement is not necessarily going to prevent you from contracting coronavirus but studies have shown that taking Vitamin D supplements may have a positive effect in reducing the severity of the virus.”
If you have any health or medical concerns, book in for a consultation with one of our health specialists. Call 01243 771455 or email info@meyerclinic.co.uk