Vitamin D Deficiency and Health

From April to September we can absorb vitamin D from the sun. You will need to spend between 5 to 30 minutes in the sun unprotected depending on your skin colour, between the hours of 10am and 3pm a few times a week to get enough vitamin D from the sun. However, if you are deficient, have certain health conditions, are pregnant, breastfeeding or spend extended time indoors, you may want to consider supplementing all year round.

Vitamin D plays many vital roles in our body, from modulating our immune system, to supporting healthy bones and teeth. It also affects our mood, as low levels have been linked to low mood and SAD (seasonal affective disorder). It plays a role in our sleep/wake cycle, so if you suffer from insomnia or disturbed sleep, its worth getting your vitamin D levels checked.

Low vitamin D status also plays a role in certain health conditions such as asthma, hypothyroid, mood disorders such as depression and autoimmune conditions, particularly rheumatoid arthritis. Low levels are linked to worsening symptoms, so optimising levels can lead to an improvement in symptoms.

Also, if you are struggling to get pregnant or have been diagnosed with unexplained infertility, it is important to get your vitamin D levels assessed, as studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency is a risk marker for fertility issues.

We can get some vitamin D from food such as small boned oily fish, mushrooms and eggs, but 80-90% is absorbed from the sun, meaning sun exposure or supplementation is vital to optimise levels.

If you suspect a vitamin D deficiency it is really important to get your levels checked before supplementing and working with a professional such as a nutritional therapist who can advise on therapeutic doses.