15th August 2022
The Importance of Vitamin D
Ahen the Covid pandemic started, many healthcare professionals encouraged taking a Vitamin D supplement and even doubling the normal recommended dose. Why? Because of the positive effects of Vitamin D. It was seen that while Vitamin D cannot prevent or treat the Coronavirus, there were reports that suggest increasing its intake helped people reduce the risks of the virus when they contracted it. Add to this all the research which shows that having healthy levels of vitamin D can help keep your immune system healthy, reduce inflammation and may protect against respiratory illnesses in general.
In fact, Vitamin D is important for overall well-being and plays a vital role in our physical and mental health. To help you understand the ins and outs of Vitamin D, here’s a list of frequently asked questions about this little miracle.
What is Vitamin D and what are its important functions in the body?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin in a group of compounds that includes Vitamins D1, D2 and D3. Vitamin D helps:
• Increase the intestinal absorption of essential elements like calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and phosphate.
• Facilitate the normal functioning of the immune system.
• Facilitate the normal development and growth of bones and teeth
• Regulate mood and reduce depression.
How much Vitamin D should you be taking?
As per the NHS, the Recommended Dietary Allowance for vitamin D for adults is 400 IU (10 μg) per day.
What are the symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency?
People being diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency is becoming more and more common. A simple blood test will determine whether you are deficient. These are some of the symptoms to look out for :
- Tiredness, general body pain or weakness.
- Severe bone or muscle pain, or weakness
- • Stress fractures especially in your legs, pelvis or hips.
How does one get Vitamin D?
Our bodies produce vitamin D naturally when we are directly exposed to sunlight. We can also get vitamin D from certain foods and supplements.
What foods contain Vitamin D?
Some foods contain vitamin D naturally, and others are fortified with it. You can find vitamin D in the following foods:
• salmon
• sardines
• herring
• canned tuna
• cod liver oil
• beef liver
• egg yolk
• shrimp
• mushrooms
• milk (fortified)
• certain cereals and oatmeals (fortified)
• yoghurt (fortified)
• orange juice (fortified)
Should I take a Vitamin D supplement?
Ensuring you’re getting enough Vitamin D seems simple enough. But with our grey, British weather and most of us working indoors, we don’t always get sufficient time in the sun. Especially in the winter, when the days are so short. Nor do we always have sufficient time to prepare foods that contain natural sources of Vitamin D.
That’s why most healthcare professionals recommend taking a vitamin D supplement. Hashmats Health’s Vit-D3 20,000iu is a high-strength supplement that utilises cholecalciferol Vitamin D3 – the preferred form of Vitamin D in the body. It is made with sun vitamins using pharmaceutical-grade technology. This capsule is taken once a week so is convenient for those who don’t want to pop a pill daily.Hashmats also produces a 1000iu Vit-D3 capsule. This easy-to-consume, one-a-day capsule helps maintain healthy Vitamin D3 levels in the body. Read more about why you can trust our HMC (UK) (Halal Monitoring Committee) approved formulation here.
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