What is vitamin D?
Vitamins are groups of related organic molecules or vitamers. Vitamin D specifically is responsible for keeping bones, muscles and teeth healthy and also regulates the body’s levels of phosphorus and calcium and boosts immune function and cell growth. Its sources include sunshine – the skin produces this vitamin on contact with sunlight – and some foods including oily fish like sardines, mackerel and salmon, plus egg yolks, red meat and liver as well as some fortified products such as breakfast cereals.
What happens if your intake is too low?
If you have a vitamin D deficiency, you risk bone and muscle problems and general weakness, as well as increased sensitivity to pain. Other symptoms can include bones which break more easily, muscle cramps plus pins and needles in the hands and feet. In children, a lack of this vital nutrient can lead to deformities such as rickets.
How can you make sure you get enough vitamin D?
It can be hard to take on sufficient vitamin D in your diet, which is why supplements are really important.
According to the NHS, UK government advice is that we should all think about a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter months when, clearly, there are fewer opportunities to absorb the stuff naturally through sunlight. (It’s also worth upping your intake of vitamin D-rich foods at this time of year.)
The recommendation is that those living in the UK should take 10mcg of vitamin D between October and March, although the NHS stresses that daily supplements of up to 100mcg are perfectly safe. (However, exceeding this dosage could potentially be harmful.)
You may also want to top up at other times if you’re staying indoors for prolonged periods, for example if you’re housebound or live in a care home, to keep intake at healthy levels.
People with darker skins, including those of African, African-Caribbean or South Asian heritage, or those who tend to cover up their skin outdoors, may also benefit from these supplements. (Which, incidentally, are perfectly safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women to take.)
Meanwhile, babies and children aged between one and four should have a daily supplement all year round.
Vitamin D supplements from Ganesha Wholefoods
At Ganesha Wholefoods, we’ve been operating as a family business for more than four and a half decades. Our wide range of products encompasses health supplements, including Vitamin D preparations.
We have drops, capsules and pearls to ensure you and your family’s intake is enough to get you through the winter, plus the warmer months if necessary. Alternatively, our Barleycup Calcium & Vitamins cereal drink is another way of topping up levels of this and other key nutrients.
Our products are safe, and suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
Browse our online store – and enjoy free shipping when you spend £40 or more, plus speedy delivery taking no longer than four working days. Or visit one of our three Devon-based stores in Axminster, Honiton and Sidmouth.
We love chatting to our customers about our products – be in touch if you have any queries. Call 01395 578526 or email [email protected]