With less sunshine in winter its even more likely that we’re not acquiring sufficient vitamin D. This fat soluble vitamin has slipped a little below the medical radar in recent years but is now getting the full attention it deserves. For a comprehensive review of vitamin D check out the National Institute of health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements, vitamin D supplement fact sheet.

A very recent study highlights the importance and increasing understanding of vitamin D. (Further evidence supports vitamin D deficiency link to coronary heart disease Giovannucci, E. et al. 2008 Archives of Internal Medicine). The authors indicate a range of plausible biological mechanisms supporting a role for vitamin D in heart disease that includes blood pressure regulation, inflammation, vascular calcification and smooth muscle cell proliferation. This study extends the understanding of vitamin D already identified to possibly reduce the risk of cancer of the colon, breast and prostate.

Sources of vitamin D in food are not substantial but exposure of the bare skin to sunshine is the most effective way to build up levels in the body. Dunedin is at 47degrees latitude so for between four to five winter months a year we cannot achieve sufficiency of vitamin D from sunlight. For the rest of the time, an exposure of about 40% of the skin surface for 20 minutes, two hours either side of midday is a safe way to maintain a good level of vitamin D.

A vitamin D supplement is a suitable method to acquire the right amount of this vitamin at this time. Vitamin D levels can easily be measured in your blood by a suitable blood test. At Dunedin Osteopathic Clinic we can send you for a test (small fee for this) and recommend a course of action. Alternatively, you can see you GP and request a test.

Groups at risk of vitamin D deficiency include:
Breast fed infants, older adults, people with limited sun exposure, people with darker skin, people with stomach or intestinal disorders leading to malabsorption, overweight/obese people, people with osteoporosis.

Vitamin D may be prescribed by your GP or you may purchase the supplement from a pharmacy or healthfood store. However, ensure your supplement is the Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) version.

The use of vitamin D supplementation is associated with a reduction in overall mortality from any cause by a statistically significant 7%. Supplementation levels range from 300 – 2,000IU daily. It is suggested that 10,000IU or greater daily is toxic.

Bring on those sunny days!