It has long been recognised that vitamin D plays an important role in bone metabolism. However, research continues into the value of vitamin D for lowering risk of a number of diseases including infections, heart disease and several types of cancer.
Vitamin D can be made in relatively large quantities in the skin of many animals, including humans, by exposure to adequate sunlight. The problem is in the UK we don't get enough sunlight during the winter months to produce any vitamin D.
Vitamin D, a fat soluble vitamin, can be stored in the body for several weeks but by March it is estimated that about a quarter of the UK population are vitamin D deficient.
We can get vitamin D in our diets, from foods like oily fish such as herrings, salmon and mackerel; eggs, lean meat and fortified cereals. And vitamin D supplements are available. But with spring almost here why not boost your vitamin D levels the natural way, by getting sensible amounts of sun exposure this spring and summer.
Vitamin D and living in northern latitudes--an endemic risk area for vitamin D deficiency; abstract
Vitamin D in preventive medicine: are we ignoring the evidence?; abstract
Possible Health Implications and Low Vitamin D Status during Childhood and Adolescence: An Updated Mini Review; full text
Low vitamin D status: on the increase?; abstract
