Vitamin D is commonly known as the sunshine vitamin because it is synthesised in the skin following exposure to sunlight. Most healthy adults should be able to get enough Vitamin D from being outside in the sun, unfortunately in the UK in the winter time there isn’t much opportunity to get a daily dose of sunshine, and this combined with the fact that it's almost impossible to get enough through dietary sources leaves us at high risk of vitamin D deficiency.
Science is making it increasingly apparent that Vitamin D is crucial to our health, it plays a role in the absorption of calcium and is therefore important to the health of our bones and teeth. It also supports muscle function and the maintenance of a healthy immune system.
The latest statistics are putting 1 in 5 Brits at having low vitamin D levels, this makes us susceptible to bone pain and fractures as well as many other health issues.
Recommended as a food supplement by the FSA
The Food Standards Agency recommends that if you are pregnant or breastfeeding you should take a 400iu/ 10µg supplement of Vitamin D each day.
Those that are at particularly high risk of Vitamin D deficiency include people who:
• are of Asian origin
• rarely get outdoors
• eat no meat or oily fish
Vitamin D and rickets in children
Vitamin D is crucial for the maintenance of healthy, strong bones. A deficiency in Vitamin D can cause rickets in young children which is a weakening and softening of bones which can lead to bone deformities. After World War II instances of rickets in the UK was in very small numbers due to the British government introducing cod liver oil as a supplement - this is a great food source of Vitamin D. However between 2003 and 2013 the NHS reported a 430% increase in cases of rickets and it is becoming a fast growing health issue.
High strength, natural form, easy swallow tablets
Just Vitamins Vitamin D 1000iu provides 25µg (500% recommended daily allowance) in an easy to swallow tablet. We use the natural form of Vitamin D, Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) in this supplement.