What you need to know Do you know your vitamin D from your vitamin D3? How do you know if you’re low in vitamin D? Or which supplement is best for you? Here, we break down the key benefits of vitamin D, why it’s especially important to keep your levels topped up in the winter, and some of the lesser known reasons it could be your new BFF. Shop Vitamin D Sunshine + Vitamin D Why do I need vitamin D in winter? And why is it called the ‘sunshine vitamin’? Vitamin D (specifically D3) is produced naturally in your skin when exposed to the sun. During the winter months, a decrease in sunlight requires us to top up our levels with supplements or specific food sources. It’s also worth noting that if SPF is a key player in your daily routine, ensuring your vitamin D levels are sustained is essential. While SPF is vital in protecting your skin against the sun’s damaging rays, one side effect is that you end up absorbing far less of that all-important “sunshine vitamin”. So you might want to consider investing in a vitamin D supplement if you are as devoted to your SPF as we are! Disease + Vitamin D What are the health benefits of vitamin D? Research has shown that Vitamin D may help reduce your likelihood of developing the flu, and has therefore been suggested as a way to boost our defence against Covid-19. However, it’s not just the flu virus that vitamin D is thought to help protect against. Overall, this vitamin is believed to help the normal function of our immune systems with research showing that it can help lower your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer. Depression + Vitamin D Can vitamin D help with mood? Exposure to sunlight is thought to help boost our mood as well as our energy levels, and a deficiency in vitamin D has been commonly linked to both anxiety and depression. Therefore, during the long, dark winter months, vitamin D is thought to play a crucial role in warding off depression and low energy levels. Muscle Aches and Pains Can vitamin D help with muscle aches and pains? Vitamin D works to regulate absorption of calcium and phosphorus which is vital for overall bone and muscle health. A deficiency in vitamin D is also believed to put you at risk of suffering from different types of bone abnormalities. It's therefore suggested as a supplement to help those suffering from aches and pains, and can be particularly beneficial to women approaching the menopause as bone loss can occur rapidly in the first few years. Commonly asked questions: How do I know if I’m low in vitamin D? Signs can include fatigue, muscle weakness, bone pain or mood changes. Can you take vitamin D with iron? There isn’t necessarily a reason that you shouldn’t, but it’s important to consult your doctor as everyone is different. How much vitamin D can I take a day? It’s recommended that 10 micrograms a day are enough for most people. But again, always consult your doctor. Which Supplements are Best? From tablets to sprays, to vegetarian and vegan formulas, we have a wide range of vitamin D supplements so you’re sure to find something to suit your needs. Our Vitamin D Supplements Shop Vitamin D Shop all Health & Wellness
