Eleanor Allum, our Blackberry Clinic Nutritional Therapist, explains the science behind the essential Vitamin D. Eleanor is available for SKYPE consultations or face to face appointments at Blackberry Clinic Milton Keynes and Blackberry Clinic Oxford.
Eleanor Allum, Nutritional Therapist
Vitamin D is an essential fat-soluble micronutrient but optimum levels can be difficult to achieve. It is best known for supporting the musculoskeletal system but it also plays an important role in immunity and cardiovascular system protection. There is even mounting evidence it could protect against Covid-19!
We can get Vitamin D from 3 sources:
1. Sunlight – From Late March/April through to September in the UK, it is possible to get our enough from the action of the sun on our skin. However, from October to March the sunlight is not strong enough for us to make Vitamin D this way.
2. Food – It is naturally occurring in small amounts in animal foods such as eggs, dairy, meat and fish and some mushroom types. It is fortified in some non-dairy milks and fats and breakfast cereals, but levels can vary. Intestinal malabsorption disorders can however reduce the ability to absorb vitamin D from food.
3. Supplements. Available in capsules and liquid forms. D3 is the form reported to be the most effective.
Public Health England recommend that in the UK all adults and children over 5 should take 10 micrograms (written as mcg or µg) between October and March. Some at risk groups are recommended to supplement throughout the year, or at higher doses (but should seek guidance from a GP or Nutritional Therapist).
Have you started taking yours?
If you are struggling to eat a healthy diet or are suffering from allergies, nutritional therapy could help you.
For more information, or a personal assessment, make sure you get in touch with Eleanor Allum.
Click on the link below to read the SACN report
The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) recommendations on vitamin D.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sacn-vitamin-d-and-health-report
Eleanor has put together a simple salmon recipe to show how you could incorporate Vitamin D into your diet.
This is also an anti-inflammatory recipe so good for supporting inflammation and any ‘itis’ diseases where chronic inflammation plays a role.
