Skip to content

FAQ Sunburst

    Why Do We Need Vitamin D?

    The body requires vitamin D to absorb calcium and make bones grow. Lack of vitamin D can cause soft, misshapen bones in children (rickets) and in adults (osteomalacia). Other important body functions require vitamin D as well.

    There is increasing evidence linking low vitamin D levels to cancers including breast, colon, prostate. Alongside this, there have been links to heart disease, depression, and obesity.

    Several studies have shown that people with higher levels of vitamin D have lower disease risks, though they don’t prove that vitamin D deficiency causes disease or that taking vitamin D supplements could reduce disease risk.

    How Much Vitamin D Do We Need?

    AgeNeed(μg)
    Baby (Under 1)8.5-10
    Child (Over 1)10
    Adult10

    How Do You Get Enough Vitamin D?

    It is recommended that you get at least 30 minutes of sun exposure at least twice a week. This exposure needs to be without sun cream. However, you need to do this carefully as too much exposure may lead to potentially dangerous levels of cancer-causing UV radiation.

    Who Should Take Vitamin D Supplements?

    As the sun doesn’t produce enough vitamin D for the body to make, you need to obtain vitamin D from dietary sources in autumn and winter. It may be challenging for people to get enough vitamin D from food alone, so everyone (including pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers) should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D during the autumn and winter. Sunlight on the skin and a balanced diet are the best ways to get enough vitamin D between late March/early April and the end of September. However, you may opt-out of taking a vitamin D supplement during these months.

    What Are The Risk Factors Of Vitamin D Deficiency?

    Being mildly deficient in vitamin D means that you may not be able to benefit from the above qualities. However, severe deficiencies over a long period of time is associated with major health risks. These include bone and muscle pain and skeletal weakness and malformations. Vitamin D deficiency is also a risk factor of osteoporosis which leads to bone fragility and breaks. Vitamin D status may be easily determined through a blood test, and a doctor or dietician can then recommend whether it needs to be supplemented.

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Shop by Brand

    Contact Us

    Alert Brands Ltd (trading as Synergy Vitamins)
    Registered in England and Wales
    Registered Company No. 12579676
    Unit 1 Barons Court, Graceways,
    Lancashire, FY4 5GP

    Payment Options
    Accredited manufactures

    Copyright Synergy Vitamins 2023