Why do so many of us lack Vitamin D?

It is estimated that a huge % of the UK population are deficient in Vitamin D. It is also estimated that the pandemic of Vitamin D deficiency affects one billion people worldwide and is getting worse but no-one is entirely sure as to why. There are various theories including the fact that we are spending more time indoors and when we do go outside into the sun, we are slathering ourselves in sunscreen. Whatever the reason, there are things that we can do to help raise our levels.

How much Vitamin D we need varies and depends on our size and weight, where we live in the world, our skin colour (darker skins need more vitamin D) the time of the year, how much sun block we use, and how much exposure we as individuals actually get. But as a rule of thumb, older people need more than younger people, and the darker skin you have, the more you will need. And of course, if you live in a country such as the UK where winters are long, summers are not guaranteed and we tend to overuse sun screen, the requirements are also increased.

The Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency
The most common symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency are:

• Tiredness and fatigue
• Join pain
• Weight gain
• Raised blood pressure
• Broken sleep
• Muscle cramps
• Headaches
• Poor concentration

Of course, these symptoms can be caused by a host of other reasons but it’s always worth checking vitamin D levels if you suffer from any of the above (and as I say, at least once a year in the Autumn, if not twice a year).

Vitamin D and Disease Link
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a whole host of different disease states, including:

• 17 different types of cancer including breast and prostate cancer
• Heart disease
• High Blood Pressure
• Osteoporosis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Gout
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Depression
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D)
• MS
• Autoimmune diseases
• Chronic Pain
• Psoriasis
• Chronic Pain

…to name a few!

The Solution
Luckily there is a solution for most of us when it comes to Vitamin D deficiency; of course spending more time in the sun is recommended, especially on days when it’s not super-hot but the sun is out; and avoiding plastering ourselves in sun cream every time the big orange ball makes an appearance, will all help. But, we can supplement too, and it is advisable for most to supplement throughout the winter.

However, it is always advised to get a blood test taken before taking Vitamin D supplements, to find out what your levels are and to correct accordingly (by taking the right dose). This can be requested by a doctor, or it’s a fairly cheap test that can be requested via a nutrition professional.
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As with any supplementation, it is always advisable to see a professional before supplementing as there is a risk with certain supplementary nutrients of taking too much and causing toxicity.