BY CLAIR WHITTY
Vitamin D is a popular supplement for all the family. During Covid it became even more so with the government recommending that we take it to help reduce the likelihood of infection. Vitamin D is also important for your bones, teeth, and muscles, and may help regulate mood too.
Our body creates Vitamin D from sunshine when our skin is exposed to sunlight. In Ireland we often don’t get enough sun, often just an odd week here and there in the summer. In winter the sun is too low in the sky to be of benefit to us. With this in mind I think most of us could benefit from topping up with Vitamin D. Food sources of Vitamin D can include oily fish, liver, egg yolks, and some foods will be fortified with it.
Should you start taking Vitamin D now? This year with reports of rising numbers of infections I think Vitamin D is going to be more important than ever. So, yes, I would start taking Vitamin D as soon as possible. It is in lots of our winter supplements where it is combined with other immune supporting vitamins, antioxidants or herbs to support the immune system. You could take one of these supplements but I know that many of you prefer to take it as a stand-alone vitamin and lots of you love the BetterYou Vitamin D Oral Spray both for convenience and for effectiveness. Or there’s Oral Spray with Vitamin K2 to enhance absorption of Vitamin D.
I often get asked if you can take too much Vitamin D. This is rare, but possible. If you take too much Vitamin D over a long period of time it can cause too much calcium to build up. Generally, you wouldn’t know this was happening and it could weaken the bones or cause damage to the kidneys and the heart. If you have been taking Vitamin D for some time, it would be wise to test. Your GP can check. Or choose from The MyBio™ or the Wild Atlantic Vitamin D Test Kits for testing from the comfort of your own home.
Those of you who take Vitamin D seasonally should be ok to do the same this year. Let us know if you have any questions about Vitamin D.
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