What are the health benefits of vitamin D?

After a long winter, an extra hour of daylight is a welcome thought. Now the clocks have changed, we’re well on the way to enjoying lighter evenings and making the most of the warmer temperatures in the not-too-distant future (fingers crossed!) But there is more to the longer days than having extra time to sit in the garden or being light when we get home. Because our body creates vitamin D from the direct sunlight on our skin, we’re exposed to more of it during the spring and summer, and it can do wonders for our health. Learn more about the health benefits of vitamin D in our article below.

Improves mood and reduces depression

Research supports the theory that vitamin D is essential in regulating mood and reducing the risk of depression. While this could be argued that we all feel better when the sun is shining and we feel the warmth on our skin, the reason we’re advised to take a supplement in the winter months is that our physical and mental health can be affected when our bodies can’t make enough vitamin D on their own. If you suffer from anxiety and depression, vitamin D deficiency can be a risk factor, so increasing your intake can improve symptoms and overall well-being.

Strengthens your bones

Vitamin D helps to regulate the amount of phosphate and calcium in our bodies, which we need to keep our teeth, bones and muscles healthy. Without vitamin D, these minerals can’t do their job properly, and our risk of bone pain and deformities increases. When teamed with calcium, vitamin D prevents bones from becoming brittle, and we’re much less likely to suffer from diseases such as osteoporosis, rickets and osteomalacia.

It may help to fight disease

Along with its main benefits, research suggests that vitamin D’s health benefits can help reduce the risk of illnesses such as multiple sclerosis (MS), heart disease and strokes. It is also thought to reduce symptoms of Covid-19 and severe flu cases and prevent acute respiratory distress syndrome. As well as being linked to preventing specific diseases, vitamin D is also known to support immunity in general and keep infections and fatigue at bay.

Can we get vitamin D from our food?

From late March to the end of September, we should get all the health benefits of vitamin D we need from sunshine, thanks to the longer days and better weather. If you need to boost your intake because you aren’t exposed to much sunlight, vitamin D can be found in a few foods, including oily fish, red meat, egg yolks and fortified items such as yoghurts and cereals. Young children and babies have a high risk of not getting enough vitamin D, so they should take an additional supplement throughout the year and make the most of the sunshine when they can.

If you have any concerns about your health and think you might be vitamin D deficient, it’s worth booking an appointment with your GP, who may refer you for a blood test. We’re happy to provide information about our intolerance tests and how they can improve your health, but our advice should never replace medical guidance.

Contact UK Food Intolerance about a food intolerance test

If you’d like to contact us about an intolerance test or learn more about vitamin D’s health benefits, please email [email protected] or fill out the form on our website. We aim to get back to you within two hours of the working day and answer your questions as quickly as possible.