Vitamin D Supplements

Vitamin D is an incredibly important micronutrient for the human body. Luckily, we can synthesise it in the skin as long as we have enough sunlight exposure. We actually produce this vitamin from cholesterol, though this process also relies upon other nutrients. Even on the sunny Gold Coast of Australia, Vitamin D deficiencies and insufficiencies are relatively common. Which seems crazy, right? This is likely due to factors such as working long hours indoors and avoidance of sunlight due to concerns over skin cancer. 

One of the leading international Vitamin D researchers is Dr Michael F. Holick. In a paper published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2004 he emphasises the importance of this nutrient for the health of the immine system and bones, and for the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Dr Holick also recommends careful exposure to sunlight to ensure that Vitamin D requirements are met, whilst minimising the risk of sunburn. It has also been suggested that Vitamin D may be helpful for conditions such as muscle weakness, fibromyalgia and even chronic fatigue syndrome. This crucial vitamin, that actually functions more like a hormone, may also be helpful in the management of seasonal affective disorder and depression.

Vitamin D is found in relatively low amounts in food. One of the most common sources used over the past century has been cod liver oil. This is—literally—the oil extracted from the liver of the cod fish, which also supplies plenty of Vitamin A, as retinol, and the Omega 3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids EPA and DHA. Other food sources are fatty fish, such as salmon and mackeral, milk and eggs. Vitamin D Supplements really are an effective way to ensure your vitamin D requirements are being met.