Could you be at risk of a vitamin D deficiency? Nutritional expert Keeley Berry explains more…
Our Expert
Keeley Berry is a nutritional expert and product developer at natural health company BetterYou. She studied biomedical science before starting her career as a molecular miologist, testing food products for the top 14 allergens to ensure they complied with EU law regulation and safety. Keeley now develops new and innovative VMS supplements for the brand. betteryou.com
The vast majority of the vitamin D the body needs comes from our skin’s unprotected exposure to sunlight, but it’s not always easy to ensure that we’re getting enough.
Supporting a normal, effective immune system, vitamin D is an essential nutrient that regulates the intake of calcium, magnesium and phosphorous which are vital minerals required, among other things, for the formation of healthy, strong bones.
Vitamin D also supports muscle function, allowing us to stay active by enhancing mitochondria – the ‘powerhouses’ of our bodies’ cells – which are responsible for turning energy from the food we eat, into energy for those cells.
Those that spend a lot of time outside and those that lead a healthy and balanced lifestyle may not think they are susceptible to a lack of vitamin D, however, the likelihood still exists, particularly if they fall within these seven groups of people deemed more ‘at-risk’ of deficiency.
Children under five-years-old
Without vitamin D there is a danger that children will 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.
With vitamin D-related diseases, such as rickets, making a comeback; it’s more important than ever to protect children from a deficiency that can be easily rectified with supplementation. 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 (DoH) recommends that all children under five years old should be given a vitamin D supplement every day.
Rebecca, mum to three-year-old Oliver says, “Oliver wears sunscreen most days, except for cold winter days when he’s wrapped up, so although he usually spends between two to four hours outside each day, he is always protected from sunlight. Giving Oliver a daily supplement allows me to ensure he gets all of the vitamin D his growing body needs, and I particularly like using an ora
