Why do we need vitamin D?

Vitamin D, otherwise known as ‘the sunshine vitamin’ is synthesised by the body following sunlight exposure.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. It promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from our diets, making it essential for maintaining bone and muscle health (1, 2). Vitamin D also contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system and our inflammatory response mechanisms (3).

What are the risks of vitamin D deficiency?

Common manifestations of vitamin D deficiency are feeling fatigued, aching or discomfort of bones, muscle cramping and a low mood. 

A prolonged vitamin D deficiency can cause bone conditions like osteoporosis (brittle bones), osteomalacia (softening of the bones), osteopenia (weaker bone tissue), rickets (bone tissue that doesn’t harden in children) and muscle weakness. This can cause skeletal deformities and an increased risk of falls and fractures(1).

How to optimise your vitamin D levels

1. Spend time outside

Sunlight is the primary mechanism by which humans create Vitamin D. Simply spend around 15 minutes outside in the middle of the day with some skin exposure when the sun is out. However, relying on sunlight during the winter months may not be enough to meet your needs.

2. Eat vitamin D rich food

Vitamin D is very limited in food products but it can be found in a small amounts in:

• Fatty fish (like trout, salmon, tuna, and mackerel)
• Egg yolks
• Beef liver
• Cheese
• Mushrooms
• Fortified products like milk, plant-based milks, breakfast cereals and some brands of orange juice

It cannot be obtained from plant-based food sources, although it is available from fortified foods.

3. Take a supplement

For most of us, taking a vitamin D supplement may be the best way to ensure adequate intake, especially during the winter months. The few food sources, lack of plant-based sources, plus the unreliable sunlight we often see (or don’t see) in the UK, the NHS guidelines recommend that everyone living in the UK should take a vitamin D supplement during the winter months, from October – March (4,5)

In fact, data from a PHE National Diet and Nutrition Survey shows that 23% have low levels of vitamin D, and are at risk for developing a deficiency. Many of us aren’t getting enough vitamin D from diet and sunlight alone, and for this reason, a supplement can be recommended.

Those with a darker skin pigment or people whose skin has little or no exposure to the sun should consider taking a supplement all year round. People over 60 years old should also consider taking a supplement, as the cells in your skin make less vitamin D from sunlight as you get older (2, 3).

We would recommend supplementing vitamin D in the form of vitamin D3 which is more readily absorbed by the body compared to vitamin D2. When choosing a supplement, we would advise a supplement that provides you with minimum 1000 IU up to 2000 IU (between 25 mcg – 50 mcg).
Our FFF vitamin D3 is derived from lichen, a symbiosis between fungi and algae, which makes it an animal-free, sustainable and eco-friendly source.

What is the Nutrient Reference Value of vitamin D?

• EU NRV 5mcg/day or 100 IU
• UK NRV 10 mcg/day or 400 IU (4,5)

FFF Supplement Dose.

50 mcg or 2000 IU for adults.

Not all researchers agree with the current NRV value, as serum vitamin D levels might still not be sufficient for all (>30 ng/mL or 75 nmol/L) (6). The Endocrine Society recommends an intake between 1500 IU to 2000 UI for adults (7).

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When it comes to our health, the food we put in our bodies can have a significant impact in many ways. It affects our mood, energy levels, stress, physical activity and everything in between. The right nutrition can help us to feel better, every day. At Fresh Fitness Food we believe in a food-first approach as food provides you with so much more than just nutrients. Many of us should be able to get most nutrients from a healthy and balanced diet, however, there are some caveats and exceptions where food supplements can assist to fill up the gaps.

If you are unsure or have any questions about food supplements, you can book in for a call with one of our all-knowing nutritionists here.

Or, order today and start smashing your goals with personalised nutrition!

Get £50 off a 5-day trial with code: BLOG50. Start your trial here

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References:

1. Adams, J. and Hewison, M., 2008. Unexpected actions of vitamin D: new perspectives on the regulation of innate and adaptive immunity. Nature Clinical Practice Endocrinology & Metabolism, 4(2), pp.80-90.
2. Cranney, A., Horsley, T., O’Donnell, S., Weiler, H., Puil, L., Ooi, D., Atkinson, A., Ward, L., Moher, D., Hanley, D., Fang, M., Yazdi, F., Garritty, C., Sampson, M., Barrowman, N., Tsertsvadze, A. and Mamaladze, V., 2007. Effectiveness and safety of vitamin D in relation to bone health. Evidence report/technology Assessment. Full Report, 158, pp.1–235.
3. Meehan, M. and Penckofer, S., 2014. The Role of Vitamin D in the Aging Adult. Journal of Aging and Gerontology, 2(2), pp.60-71.
4. GOV.UK. 2021. PHE publishes new advice on vitamin D. [online] Available at: <https://www.gov.uk/government/news/phe-publishes-new-advice-on-vitamin-d> [Accessed 15 June 2021].
5. GOV.UK. 2021. SACN vitamin D and health report. [online] Available at: <https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sacn-vitamin-d-and-health-report> [Accessed 15 June 2021].
6. Sadat-Ali, M., Al-Anii, F., Al-Turki, H., AlBadran, A. and AlShammari, S., 2018. Maintenance Dose of Vitamin D: How Much Is Enough?. Journal of Bone Metabolism, 25(3), p.161.
7. Holick, M., Binkley, N., Bischoff-Ferrari, H., Gordon, C., Hanley, D., Heaney, R., Murad, M. and Weaver, C., 2011. Evaluation, Treatment, and Prevention of Vitamin D Deficiency: an Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 96(7), pp.1911-1930.