Raising awareness of vitamin D deficiency

Expectant mothers are the only source of vitamin D for their baby.

Recent research regarding vitamin D supplementation for preconception and pregnancy suggests that it is important for conceiving and the delivery of healthy full-term births. Studies have also shown that these benefits extend into supporting infants’ growth and development.

SACN and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommend that pregnant and breastfeeding women take a vitamin D supplement of at least 400IU per day. .

Recommended product: DLux 3000 Vitamin D Oral Spray

Whether it’s animal welfare, environmental benefits or personal health, there are a handful of reasons behind modern dietary shifts; with 28 per cent of Brits now identifying as ‘meat reducers’.

For those following a plant-based diet, it’s essential to uphold nutrient levels for optimal health, and as the best food sources of vitamin D are animal products such as beef, eggs and cheese, vegans are more likely to be at-risk of deficiency.

Studies have found that the vast majority of those following a plant-based diet have sub-optimal levels of vitamin D.

Recommended product: DLux1000 Vegan Vitamin D Oral Spray

Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in those with darker skin tones, as they have a natural barrier towards the UVB rays needed to penetrate the skin.

This natural barrier comes in the form of melanin. Melanin competes with vitamin D in the skin for UVB absorption, meaning that darker skin types allow less UVB to enter the skin and consequently produce less vitamin D.

Current dosage recommendations for vitamin D do not differentiate between ethnic groups, however the Department of Health recommends that those with darker skin supplement all year round, with the Institute of Medicine setting a safe upper limit of 4000 IU per day for healthy adults.

Recommended product: DLux3000 Vitamin D Oral Spray

It is now estimated that full-time employees in the UK spend over 42 hours per week at work.

With limited opportunities to spend time outside in the sunshine, there are growing concerns that Britain’s office workers are increasingly at-risk of vitamin D deficiency.

A recent study discovered that vitamin D deficiency was the highest among shift workers and indoor workers, with nine out of ten office workers found to have insufficient levels.

Recommended product: DLux 3000 Vitamin D Oral Spray

Without vitamin D, children can develop problems with their bones and muscles and any child that doesn’t get enough vitamin D, either through diet or from sunlight, can develop rickets.

Babies and young toddlers are particularly susceptible to low blood calcium levels if they do not have sufficient vitamin D and the Department of Health recommends that children under five-years-old should be given a daily supplement.

Charities such as UNICEF have highlighted the need for 400IU of vitamin D supplementation in babies that are breastfed, as their formula-fed counterparts already receive supplementation through their formula milk.

Recommended product: DLux Junior Vitamin D Oral Spray

Older adults are at-risk of lower levels of vitamin D due to the body’s reduced ability to synthesise the vitamin, along with decreased dietary intake with age.

Inadequate amounts of vitamin D in older people reduces wellbeing both physically and mentally and can aggravate the ageing process. In particular, vitamin D deficiency can contribute to reduction in mobility and may add to the severity of osteoporosis, increasing the risk of falls and fragility fractures.

Recommended product: DLux+ Vitamin D+K2 Oral Spray

I can’t believe that this is the most important age to support my bones! This has totally changed my attitude towards taking vitamins.

In addition to helping to maintain a normal, functioning immune system, vitamin D is essential for teens and pre-teens due to its role in ensuring healthy bones. Adolescence is a key time for bone development and it’s once a teenager’s growth spurt is complete, at around 17-years-old, that more than 90 per cent of adult bone mass is established.

NICE advises all young people living in the UK to take a 400 IU daily vitamin D supplement throughout the year.

Recommended product: DLux 1000 Vitamin D Oral Spray

If you are concerned that your levels may be low, the best way to establish your supplementation needs is with a Testing Service. You can visit your GP or purchase our at-home test kit to establish your levels and create a personalised supplementation plan, tailored to you.