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• Cellular Health: Linked to the prevention of breast, colon, and prostate cancers.
• Bone Health: Essential in reducing the risk of osteoporosis, osteomalacia, and fractures, especially hip fractures.
• Organ Health: Supports heart health and helps manage conditions like high blood pressure and hypertension.
• Mental Health: Aids in alleviating seasonal affective disorder (SAD), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), depression, and general mood disorders.
• Autoimmune Diseases: Associated with reducing the risk of multiple sclerosis, Type 1 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Skin Health: Helpful in managing conditions like psoriasis.
• Weight Management: Beneficial for obesity and exercise programs.

Sunlight: The Best Source of Vitamin D

Sunlight is the most effective way for your body to produce Vitamin D. In regions like the UK and Ireland, Vitamin D production from sunlight is only possible between May and October, as the winter sun isn’t strong enough to trigger this process.

Dr. Michael Holick, one of the leading experts on Vitamin D and a professor at Boston University, recommends a daily intake of 1,000 IU to maintain healthy levels & can be challenging to get this amount from food alone as most multivitamins only provide around 400 IU. Dr. Holick suggests that exposing about 25% of your skin to UV rays for around 5 minutes, 2-3 times a week, is enough to maintain Vitamin D levels, depending on skin type. However, using sunscreen can reduce the body’s ability to produce Vitamin D by up to 97%.

Are You at Risk of Vitamin D Deficiency?

Several factors increase the likelihood of Vitamin D deficiency:

• Age: As we age, our skin becomes less efficient at producing Vitamin D from sunlight.
• Lifestyle: Spending a lot of time indoors during daylight hours reduces your sun exposure.
• Geographical Location: In the UK and Ireland, long winters limit the amount of sunlight you receive.
• Skin Tone: People with darker skin, particularly those of Asian and Afro-Caribbean descent, may struggle to produce sufficient Vitamin D in regions with limited sunlight.
• Cultural Practices: Some cultures require women to wear clothing that covers most of their skin, limiting sun exposure.
• Intestinal Diseases: Conditions like Crohn’s disease and cystic fibrosis can hinder Vitamin D absorption from food and supplements.

Storing Vitamin D for Winter

During winter months in places like the UK and Ireland, it can be challenging to make Vitamin D from sunlight.

The Elderly and Vitamin D

As you age, your body’s ability to produce Vitamin D decreases—by up to four times between the ages of 20 and 70. It is suggested that elderly individuals are at a higher risk of fractures due to Vitamin D deficiency, making it crucial for bone health.