Vitamin D is a vital vitamin mostly produced in the skin by exposure to sunlight. It controls how the body absorbs calcium and phosphate which is important for strong bones, a healthy immune system and regulating mood.
Despite its name, vitamin D is not a vitamin, but a multi-functional hormone, contributing to lots of functions within the body and having the right amount of vitamin D can make us healthier, not just today, but in the future too.
Vitamin D helps our digestive system absorb calcium and maintains our blood levels of calcium important for keeping our bones and teeth heathy. In adults, a lack of vitamin D can lead, in the long-term, to osteoporosis.
Research[1] has shown that when we are lacking in vitamin D, particularly in the winter, we are much more susceptible to developing and suffering from flu, colds and viruses, than if we have adequate supplies of vitamin D in our bodies.
Vitamin D can also have an effect on our mood. In research conducted [2] on 7,534 patients, the conclusion found that taking vitamin D can reduce your feelings of negativity and can support those experiencing consistent low mood or depressive episodes.
For weight loss, there is also some benefit. In one study[3], those with raised BMIs who received vitamin D supplementation to support their weight loss lost more weight that those who were given a placebo vitamin D supplementation. This was considered attributable to the extra calcium being absorbed due to the vitamin D, having an appetite-suppressing effect.
The signs of vitamin D deficiency aren’t always obvious, but they can include feeling tired and fatigued, having muscle aches, being low in energy and suffering with frequent colds.
Those at greater risk of vitamin D deficiency include those who do not spend much time outdoors or cover up their skin, those with darker skin or those aged over 65.
At The Slimming Clinic we think it is important to have your vitamin D level checked as you work to improve your health and wellbeing. If you feel you may be experiencing symptoms of vitamin D deficiency or are in one of the high risk groups, you should consider a vitamin D check.
If you are found to be lacking in vitamin D, our team of clinicians will be able to explain the results to you and give you more information about lifestyle changes you can make to increase your vitamin D levels as well as explain to our vitamin D supplement that can give you a boost to improve your levels more quickly.
References
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3447082/
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32365423/
[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30246883/