Are you getting enough Vitamin D?
Did you know that Vitamin D is vital for the development of healthy bones, teeth and muscles? The best natural resource of Vitamin D is the sun, however in Ireland during the winter months, we are exposed to very little sunlight, especially people working typical 9-5pm office hours.
We can also get our Vitamin D from our diet by eating foods rich in dairy such as milk, butter, cheese and yoghurt. Oily fish such as salmon and mackerel are a good source of Vitamin D as well as egg yolks. Unfortunately we don’t eat enough of these foods to get the recommended amount of Vitamin D our body needs.
TILDA researchers have found there is insufficient daily intake of the vitamin across Ireland:
- 47% of all adults over 85 are deficient in winter
- 27% of adults over 70 who are ‘cocooning’ are estimated to be deficient
- 1 in 8 adults over 50 are deficient all year round
- Only 4% of men and 15% of women take a Vitamin D supplement.
In recent years, there has been huge renewed interest in vitamin D, with new global research showing that the health benefits of this nutrient stretch beyond bone health. There is increasing evidence for the beneficial effects from dietary vitamin D which has shown benefits for its contribution to;
- Normal function of the immune system
- Maintenance of normal bones and teeth
- Normal absorption and utilisation of calcium and phosphorus
- Normal muscle function
- Normal blood calcium levels
- The process of cell division
Vitamin D has been in the news frequently recently for its links to Covid-19. A trial on the relationship Vitamin D has in preventing colds, flu and chest infections found that Vitamin D had a significant protective effect when it was given daily or weekly to people with lowest vitamin D levels. The study showed that after taking Vitamin D the risk of having a cold or flu was reduced from 60% to 32% in these people. Therefore, maintaining a sufficient vitamin D level is beneficial in prevention of colds and flus and may therefore be of benefit in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vitabiotics Ultra Vitamin D tablets were developed as a convenient way to supplement the diet with vitamin D. By taking a daily supplement with food, Ultra Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal bones and teeth and is also known for its role in supporting normal function of the immune system, normal cell division and normal muscle function.
Vitabiotics have two Vitamin D strengths available which both come in a three-month supply from just one small daily tablet.. Now available from your local Haven Pharmacy alongside other leading Vitamin D brands.