Yes, that title is filled with innuendo and clickbaity-ness. But if you've clicked on to this post because of that, please stick around to learn more about the importance of actual Vitamin D in your diet & lifestyle.
After the absolute disaster that was 2020, the importance of health and doing what we can to help ourselves remain well has never been more prevalent - so if one of your goals for 2021 is to start a healthkick and treat your body to much needed vitamins, nutrients and other goodness; don't underestimate the importance of the D as part of this. Vitamin D.
If you don't believe me, I've got a little story to share with you that might change your mind. One of those where your whole life changes in an instant; thanks to one fluke accident. But let's rewind a bit and talk more about Vitamin D; what it is, what it does, why we need it and where we can find healthy sources of it to incorporate into our lifestyles. Which can be via sunshine (lol, we'd be so lucky in the UK, right?!), diet or supplements - I'm a big fan of ensuring my diet contains enough of the relevant nutrients it needs by shopping top quality vitamins online; from reputable stores such as Live Well Nationwide.
Not to mention those recent claims that people low in Vitamin D are more likely to suffer the Rona 👀
What is Vitamin D?
According to nhs.co.uk; "Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. These nutrients are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children, and bone pain caused by a condition called osteomalacia in adults."
Why do we need it?
Webmd.com says; "Your body must have vitamin D to absorb calcium and promote bone growth. Too little Vitamin D results in soft bones in children (rickets) and fragile, misshapen bones in adults (osteomalacia). You also need Vitamin D for other important body functions.
Vitamin D deficiency has now been linked to breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, heart disease, depression, weight gain, and other maladies. These studies show that people with higher levels of Vitamin D have a lower risk of disease, although they do not definitively prove that lack of Vitamin D causes disease -- or that Vitamin D supplements would lower risk.
The Vitamin D Council -- a scientist-led group promoting Vitamin D deficiency awareness -- suggests Vitamin D treatment might be found helpful in treating or preventing autism, autoimmune disease, cancer, chronic pain, depression, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, flu, neuromuscular diseases, and osteoporosis."
Where can I get it from?
- As part of your diet - may foods contain Vitamin D - as well as fortified cereals and yoghurts, leafy green veg is a great source. It's also important to consume enough calcium alongside Vitamin D to best benefit your bones - which is again, leafy green veg and dairy products.
- Sunshine - the sun is a great natural source of Vitamin D. My body absorbs it best via this form, rather than diet. Remember to not burn and to still wear SPF - 15 minutes of exposure without SPF to the arms and face is said to be all you need to hit your Vitamin D RDA.
- Supplements - vitamin tablets are a great way of boosting your levels of this must-have stuff, something I'd recommend to everyone.
- If your Vitamin D is RLY bad (like mine), your doctor will run blood tests etc etc which will determine a course of prescription medicine for you.
So let's talk more about my personal experience; since I hinted at it all dramatically in the intro to this post. I am Vitamin D deficient. All forms of D deficient; if we're being honest. But whereas one kind I can happily do without (yes, that kind), Vitamin D is crucial for me in maintaining my health.
My lack of Vitamin D (not even messing, I asked my doctor for a holiday somewhere hot and sunny on the NHS once to help... to which he rudely said no. And also said no when I requested a hot tub) wasn't something I was aware of. Wasn't something I'd ever considered. Didn't have any side effects of. UNTIL. The accident.
To sum thing up huns, I ended up having a freak fall and breaking a bone in 2014. Which shouldn't have happened, put me out of action for months, led to several surgeries and complications... but was a blessing disguised as a curse in terms of my own health awareness. This all led to bone scans, blood tests and the like... which diagnosed me as having a Vitamin D deficiency (like, my body just can't absorb it unless I've been in the sun in Turkey for 2 weeks... the only time it's ever tested well!) and due to this, weak bones.
I couldn't believe it. I'd never broken a bone before in my life until this moment and had no idea... which lead to my Mum having a bone scan to see if this was a hereditary thing; with her then being diagnosed with Osteoporosis. Nice one genes lad.
This now means I've been taking super strength (prescribed) Vitamin D tablets for the past 6 years to try and strengthen my bones and boost my levels; as I just can't get enough from the UK's feeble sunshine - and my body is unable to absorb it from food alone, it appears. The last bone scan I had, my score had actually improved - so it's obviously working in some regard too. If I wasn't deficient in Vitamin D, I would likely have not broken a bone, had multiple surgeries and had an infection that would have killed me off had I not had a lot of treatment for it. So pls. Consider it. Especially if you're a woman, or have a slight frame / perhaps have suffered with eating disorders during your lifetime.
Whether you're deficient in Vitamin D or not, it definitely doesn't hurt to take a supplement / vitamins as part of your diet to boost your overall health. Doctors recommend taking it daily during the Winter (especially if you're a woman) when we're staying inside, exercising less and exposed to even less sunshine than the UK treats us to - it's something everyone can benefit from, in boosting your immunity and strengthening your bones.
I can firsthand vouch that Vitamin D and being aware of your bone health is SO IMPORTANT - I've lost so much blood, skeleton and time due to my deficiency leading to the weakening of my bones. AND I HAD NO IDEA. So be safe not sorry, and consider; AM I GETTING ENOUGH VITAMIN D? If the answer is no, supplements and vitamin tablets are a cost-effective and easy way to ensure that you do!
Do you take vitamins and / or supplements?
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