Why Should I take vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 is fondly referred to as the ‘sunshine vitamin’ because it is commonly sourced from the sun’s rays. Although this essential nutrient is vital for many different functions in the body, it is most popularly taken to maintain strong bones and teeth. Vitamin D also helps to promote a healthy immune system and normal muscle function within our bodies. Here at SunVit-D3 we have designed our supplement to provide you with that all essential sunshine needed on a daily basis, made here in the UK using pharmaceutical grade cholecalciferol under GMP guidance.

Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body.

These nutrients are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy.

A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children, and bone pain caused by a condition called osteomalacia in adults.

Government advice is that everyone should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter.

People at high risk of not getting enough vitamin D, all children aged 1 to 4, and all babies (unless they're having more than 500ml of infant formula a day) should take a daily supplement throughout the year.

Are there any risk factors around vitamin D3?

Vitamin D deficiency in adults: What are the risk factors?

Good sources of vitamin D

From about late March/early April to the end of September, most people should be able to make all the vitamin D they need from sunlight.

The body creates vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin when outdoors.

But between October and early March we do not make enough vitamin D from sunlight.

Vitamin D is also found in a small number of foods.

Sources include:

• oily fish – such as salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel
• red meat
• liver (avoid liver if you are pregnant)
• egg yolks
• fortified foods – such as some fat spreads and breakfast cereals

Another source of vitamin D is dietary supplements.

In the UK, cows' milk is generally not a good source of vitamin D because it is not fortified, as it is in some other countries.

How much vitamin D do I need?

From about late March/early April to the end of September, the majority of people should be able to make all the vitamin D they need from sunlight on their skin.Children from the age of 1 year and adults need 10 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin D a day. This includes pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people at risk of vitamin D deficiency.Babies up to the age of 1 year need 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day.A microgram (mcg) is 1,000 times smaller than a milligram (mg). The word microgram is sometimes written with the Greek symbol μ followed by the letter g (μg).Sometimes the amount of vitamin D is expressed as International Units (IU). 1 microgram of vitamin D is equal to 40 IU. So 10 micrograms of vitamin D is equal to 400 IU.

Should I take a vitamin D supplement?

During the autumn and winter, you need to get vitamin D from your diet because the sun is not strong enough for the body to make vitamin D.But since it's difficult for people to get enough vitamin D from food alone, everyone (including pregnant and breastfeeding women) should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D during the autumn and winter.Between late March/early April to the end of September, most people can make all the vitamin D they need through sunlight on their skin and from a balanced diet.You may choose not to take a vitamin D supplement during these months.

Advice for infants and young children

The Department of Health and Social Care recommends that babies from birth to 1 year of age should have a daily supplement containing 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D throughout the year if they are:

• breastfed
• formula-fed and are having less than 500ml (about a pint) of infant formula a day, as infant formula is already fortified with vitamin D

Children aged 1 to 4 years old should be given a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D throughout the year.

You can buy vitamin D supplements or vitamin drops containing vitamin D (for under 5s) at most pharmacies and supermarkets.

Women and children who qualify for the Healthy Start scheme can get free supplements containing vitamin D.