Vitamin D is the only vitamin that the body can make for itself. It is made when the sun acts on uncovered skin – even a low SPF sun cream will prevent vitamin D production.
Vitamin D can be found in small amounts in oily fish, egg yolks and cheese, but this can only provide about 10% of your body’s requirements. To get enough vitamin D without sunshine you have to take supplements.
Since the widespread use of sun creams on children, the incidence of rickets has increased seven-fold in Warwickshire, which is why the Government Health Department has advised that all children under 5 years take vitamin D supplements to prevent rickets. Gov.UK Website
The symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in adults are sometimes vague and can include tiredness and general aches and pains. Severe vitamin D deficiency can cause osteomalacia which causes pain and weakness in your bones, especially in the spine and hips. This can cause stiffness and difficulty climbing stairs or getting up out of a chair. You may also be susceptible to frequent infections. This is why people often feel so much better in the sunshine; you can make over 10,000 IUs of vitamin D in just 15-20 minutes of unprotected summer sunshine.
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a number of diseases including:
- Rickets in children
- Osteomalacia and osteoporosis in adults
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Asthma
- Breast cancer
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Hypertension
- Depression
- And many more
If you are concerned that you might be vitamin D deficient and would like to have your blood vitamin D levels tested, The Osteopathic Practice has vitamin D testing kits for £25.00
It is a simple pin-prick test and the small spots of blood are sent to the Central Hospital Birmingham to be assessed: the results are accepted by all GP practices.
Please telephone the practice on 01926 335932 if you would like a private blood testing kit. We are happy to do the test here at the practice if you would prefer, and we can post it to the hospital for you.
For more information about vitamin D, and up to date news on the latest research please visit The Vitamin D Council website
