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LIsa Balfe
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September 26, 2024
Why is vitamin D important to our health?
Every year I talk about Vitamin D because it is one of the most important vitamins for maintaining various aspects of our health. Vitamin D is required to absorb calcium, an important mineral for bone health and overall bone structure and strength. It helps to prevent rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults.
Can Vitamin D Help Prevent Winter Colds?
Vitamin D became a household name during the COVID-19 pandemic, we couldn’t keep it on our shelves but we need it every year, not just during pandemics. Vitamin D is vital for a well-functioning immune system. It helps enhance the function of the immune cells and also helps decrease inflammation. If you have adequate levels of Vitamin D it can help reduce the risk of infections and improve overall immune health.
Is There a Link Between Vitamin D and Depression?
Vitamin D intake may help to reduce these risks and support overall mental health and low levels of vitamin D have been associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. Ensuring adequate emotional well-being.
Can Vitamin D Reduce Blood Pressure?
Vitamin D may help regulate blood pressure and may improve the function of the heart and blood vessels.
Can you have too much Vitamin D?
I often get asked can you have too much Vitamin D. The answer is yes you can have too much Vitamin D, although most of us will have low levels. One consequence of too much Vitamin D is that it could cause a build-up of calcium in your blood which could cause nausea and vomiting, or weakness. These symptoms can be associated with many other health issues making it difficult to know if it is Vitamin D causing the issue. Vitamin D toxicity could cause bone pain and kidney problems, such as the formation of calcium stones.
How Can I Test my Vitamin D Levels?
We recommend that you talk to your GP about getting a blood test so that you know if you have adequate levels or not. However, not all GP's will do a routine blood test for Vitamin D, I know because my GP didn't do one. They said that it is so uncommon for Irish people to be low in Vitamin D that they routinely suggest taking a supplement of it. That is of course unless they have reason to suspect some health issue that needs to be dealt with.
How Much Vitamin D Should I take?
While I would agree that most of us are low in Vitamin D and it is no harm to take it all year round in a low dose like 400iu, I personally like to take breaks. You could take the summer off and take it throughout the winter.
Now is the perfect time to get back on your Vitamin D.
Sources of Vitamin D: Sunlight, Food, and Supplements
Vitamin D is primarily sourced from sunlight, but you can also get it through your diet and supplements. Foods like oily fish, egg yolks, beef liver, mushrooms, and fortified foods provide varying levels of Vitamin D. However, for many, achieving sufficient Vitamin D levels through diet alone can be challenging.
BetterYou Vitamin D Oral Spray: Convenient and Effective
BetterYou Vitamin D Oral Spray remains one of our customers’ favourite supplements. This is because they are so easy to administer. They are specially formulated to deliver vitamin D through the soft tissue of the mouth for optimal absorption. You simply spray onto the inside of the cheek. The BetterYou range includes a 400iu option which is suitable for infants and toddlers. There's a choice of 1000iu or 3,000iu Oral Spray for teenagers and adults. There is also an option of choosing Vitamin D and Vitamin K combined together. Vitamin K is included in the Better You D-Lux Vitamin D3000 + K2 Oral Spray to ensure absorption of Vitamin D.
Time to Reassess Your Vitamin D Intake
As the darker months approach, now is the perfect time to reassess your Vitamin D intake. Low sunlight exposure during winter means many people need to turn to Vitamin D supplements to maintain healthy levels.
