The NHS now advise that everyone, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement.
Frequently referred to as ‘the sunshine vitamin’, vitamin D is created when sunlight touches the skin. The positive effects of this vitamin on healthy bones have long-been recognised, as vitamin D’s main main function is in calcium utilisation. What is now becoming apparent is the many other ways it supports good health. Unfortunately, modern lifestyles mean that, for many, levels of this vital nutrient within the body have dramatically dropped. The NHS now advise that everyone, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement.
Fight Infection with Vitamin D
Maintaining healthy vitamin D levels is important for supporting the body’s ability to fight infection. Unlike most essential nutrients, the main source of vitamin D is not food, but sunshine; our bare skin produces vitamin D when it comes into contact with the sun’s rays. (It is also present in fish liver oils and animal liver as well as eggs). So, risk of deficiency is higher during the winter months and current estimates suggest that many people are low.
Everyone should supplement with a daily maintenance dose (1000-2000iu) during the cooler winter months; it is recommended however that you check your current vitamin D level to ascertain the optimal daily dose for you. If you decide to supplement, then choose vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) which is the form of vitamin D produced naturally in response to sunlight and is the preferred form.
Check Your Vitamin D Status
Whilst it is a good idea to supplement with a daily maintenance dose to keep your vitamin D levels topped up, the best way to evaluate your supplement requirements is with a test. Your GP can check your vitamin D status, or alternatively there are many private companies offering vitamin D tests with a simple at-home finger-prick testing kit for around £30.
If you do decide to test, it is important that you work with a healthcare professional to evaluate your optimal daily dose. Ideally everyone should test twice yearly; at the end of summer and at the end of winter, to keep a close eye on any changes.
Vitamin D is certainly not a cure all but should be considered an important part of the bigger picture of immune health.
Interesting Fact
In April 2020 Public Health England responded to growing concerns around high levels of vitamin D deficiency and increasing evidence on the vital role of vitamin D for immune function by recommending that everyone should now consider supplementing with vitamin D daily, not just at risk groups.