Extensive clinical research attests to the importance and benefits of Vitamin D with many findings showing that the majority (up to 70%) of us, particularly in Northern Europe, are deficient.
Known as the Sunshine Vitamin, Vitamin D is actually a precursor to a hormone, and not a vitamin. Vitamin D, in the form of Vitamin D3, is made in our skin when it is exposed to sunlight. Many factors affect the amount of Vitamin D our skin makes, including season and location. In Northern European countries like Ireland, the sun is not strong enough from the months of October to March to allow our skin to make any Vitamin D. Applying sunscreen, with important SPFs, lowers the amount of Vitamin D our skin can produce because the necessary UVB rays needed to create Vitamin D in our skin are blocked, in turn leaving us susceptible to Vitamin D deficiency. Our diets are not considered to be a good source of Vitamin D as very few foods naturally contain this vitamin.
Here are 5 reasons why we need to take a good quality Vitamin D3 supplement:
1. Supports Bone Health
A good Vitamin D3 intake is very important for strong bones because it helps regulate and control the body’s ability to absorb phosphorus and calcium—two compounds that provide density and strength to the skeletal system and teeth.
For post-menopausal women who are at higher risk of osteoporosis, taking Vitamin D along with calcium supplements can reduce the rate of bone loss, help prevent osteoporosis, and may reduce the risk of fractures.
2. Boosts Immune System
Vitamin D is described as an immune system regulator. It has been proven to be an important way to help arm the immune system against respiratory infections and more recently, against Covid-19. Studies of patients with severe Covid-19 infections have shown that they are more likely to have insufficient or low levels of the vitamin, according to Professor James Bernard Walsh from Trinity College Dublin.
3. Keeps Heart Healthy
Low levels of Vitamin D may increase the risk of calcium build-up in the arteries with studies suggesting that people with low levels have a greater risk of developing heart disease, including heart attack, stroke, and heart failure compared to people with higher levels of Vitamin D. Other studies show that people with lower levels of Vitamin D are more likely to have risk factors for heart disease, including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol.
4. Mood and Cognitive Functions
Studies have shown that low levels of Vitamin D are linked to a decline in cognitive performance and also impact on mood. Many people unknowingly suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) due to lack of direct exposure to UVB rays. Increasing levels of Vitamin D is not only a pick-me-up but could help to reduce the symptoms of clinical depression.
5. Helps with Insulin Control
Insulin is the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels. Vitamin D is believed to help improve the body’s sensitivity to insulin and thus reduce the risk of insulin resistance, which is often a precursor to type 2 diabetes. Vitamin D3 also has a role to play in insulin secretion in the beta cells of the pancreas.
Research indicates that Vitamin D works well in conjunction with Vitamin K which is why we have added this vitamin to some of our Vitamin D supplements. While Vitamin D increases calcium absorption, Vitamin K2 helps direct the calcium into bones and prevents calcium build up in arteries (blood vessels).
To find out which supplement is right for you click on the product info on our site or contact us for some extra guidance.
