Vitamin D3

From Summer to Autumn

Vitamin D3, the sunshine vitamin that is essential. Autumn days are shorter and our Vitamin D3 levels naturally decline due to reduced sunlight exposure. Public Health England recommends that the majority of adults should consider taking a daily supplement of 10 micrograms of Vitamin D during autumn and winter months. Those who have little or no exposure to the sun and those from ethnic minority groups with dark skin should consider taking a supplement all year round.

The benefits of Vitamin D3 include:

• Bone Health - Vitamin D3 assists in the absorption of calcium and can help to lower the risk of osteoporosis

• Muscle Health - Vitamin D3 helps to repair and keep muscles strong, increasing hypertrophy and reducing muscle atrophy (wasting)

• Nerve Function - Vitamin D3 deficiency is linked to an increased risk of neurological disorders including neuropathy. Vitamin D3 protects nerve cells from damage and oxidative stress helping to preserve healthy neurotransmitter function

• Mental Health - Low Vitamin D levels may impact serotonin levels

  The difference between Vitamin D3 and Vitamin D2

• Vitamin D3 is considered more effective than Vitamin D2 as it is more potent at raising and maintaining levels of calcifediol, the active form of Vitamin D that doctors measure to assess overall Vitamin D status

• Vitamin D2 comes from plants unlike Vitamin D3 which is produced by the body from sunlight exposure or found in animal products like oily fish. It’s important that vegans make sure that get enough Vitamin D.