Sunlight is essential for our body to produce Vitamin D, for individuals residing in regions with lower levels of sunlight, they can face a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency. We will explore this issue in more depth within this article, as well as other factors that may contribute to you risk of Vitamin D deficiency.
What is Vitamin D?
A nutrient and fat-soluble vitamin, Vitamin D is important for our bodies to function properly, it helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate present in the body, and it plays a key role in maintain the overall health of our teeth, bones, and muscles, it even contributes to better mental health. Vitamin D is produced by our body once the skin is exposed to sunlight, however, it can also be obtained from eating certain foods that are rich in vitamin D, such as oily fish, red meat, liver, and egg yolks. Although, these foods will still contain far lower quantities of Vitamin D compared to that produced from sunlight, in the UK, it is estimated that 1 in 6 adults, and 20% of children, have a deficiency in Vitamin D.
How weather affects Vitamin D levels
When the body is exposed to sunlight, Vitamin D is produced, this is primarily influenced by several factors within weather, the time of day, season, and latitude. In the UK, during the winter months, October to March, the angle of the sun Is low and the amount of sunlight that everyone receives in limited significantly. This can lead to decreased production of Vitamin D, and hence, lower levels of the nutrient in the body.
Additionally, increased coverage of clothing during cold weather can further reduce the amount of Vitamin D produced, therefore British weather can have a significant impact on Vitamin D levels in the body. It is essential your understand the effects of weather on Vitamin D production and take measures to maintain adequate Vitamin D levels across all seasons.
How does Vitamin D deficiency affect your health?
Without sufficient Vitamin D, your body will be susceptible to a range of potential health issues, such as rickets, osteoporosis, or even bone fractures. But, the most general and common health problems that can occur due to a lack of Vitamin D include:
- Fatigue
- Mood Changes
- Muscle Weakness
- Bone Pain
Vitamin D plays a key role in the normal functioning of the immune system, this is because it helps regulate immune reactions, unfortunately this means that a deficiency can increase the susceptibility to autoimmune diseases, which can affect the likelihood of developing upper respiratory tract infections, such as the flu, or colds.
Preventing Vitamin D Deficiency in the UK
To ensure that Vitamin D levels remain balanced throughout all seasons in the UK, it is recommended that in the spring and summer months you spend more time outdoors, without sunscreen on, to get the optimal amount of sunlight exposure to stay healthy.
Furthermore, it is also important to consume a healthy and balanced diet, and where possible, include foods that are naturally rich in Vitamin D, like egg yolks, red meat, and oily fish. In addition to this, taking a daily dose of Vitamin D supplements can provide you with the NHS recommended amount of Vitamin D, which is 10 micrograms, supplements are particularly helpful in the winter months, or if you can not eat foods that contain high Vitamin D.
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