The Deal with Vitamin D.
Vitamin D seems to be hot topic at the moment and we’ve been reading some interesting interim findings into some research that has taken place in Europe since the outbreak of Covid19 and we’ve discovered some interesting facts about Vitamin D and why it is a hot topic!
So what is Vitamin D and what does it do in our bodies?
Though it is called a vitamin, Vitamin D is, in fact a hormone. It is a compound that is manufactured by one part of the body and causes another part to respond. It sends signals via three areas of the body, the GI tract (your gut) to absorb more calcium and phosphorus, the bones, to release more and the kidneys to retain more. All these actions maintain blood calcium concentrations and support bone formation amongst other functions.
Vitamin D has several functions in the body including the promotion of healthy bones and teeth, supporting immunity, brain, and nervous system health, regulating insulin levels and supporting diabetes management as well as encouraging good lung function and cardiovascular health. We can derive Vitamin D from foods, but unlike other vitamins the body is able to create it from exposure to sunlight. Given enough safe sun exposure we can obtain all we need just from being outside.
Recently researchers at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation Trust and the University of East Anglia have linked low levels of the hormone Vitamin D with COVID-19 mortality rates across Europe. They dug through existing health literature to catalogue the average levels of Vitamin D among the citizens of 20 European countries, and then compared the figures with the relative numbers of COVID-19 deaths in each country. A simple statistical comparison showed there was a reasonable correlation between the figures, whereby populations with lower than average concentrations of the vitamin also featured more deaths from SARS-CoV-2. "The most vulnerable group of population for COVID-19 is also the one that has the most deficit in vitamin D," the researchers conclude in their preliminary report. This research has yet to be peer reviewed, so findings are just at the hypothesis stage. An interesting result all the same.
Now in terms of immunity there are studies that have now been published that confirm that those who have lower levels of Vitamin D are more susceptible to disease. We’ve provided a link to one such paper that confirms this.
Vitamin D does play an important role in our wellness and continued well being. As previously mentioned Vitamin D can be obtained through safe sun exposure. As we are coming into winter months here in Australia it can be more difficult to get that sunshine, but 10 to 15 minutes of exposure to the sun is a great start. If you are unable to get that amount of sun exposure, then ensure you are getting your daily Vitamin D intake through foods such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and tuna, egg yolks, mushrooms and cheese and there are some foods that have been fortified with Vitamin D such as yoghurt, tofu and some milks. Whilst we try to get all our vitamins the natural way, sometimes a good supplement is in order and our friends at Brisbane Naturopaths & Wellness Centre are always able to recommend good quality supplements.
What we do know is this, Vitamin D is essential and important to our overall health, from our bones to our immune systems. There are many other benefits that come along with good sustained Vitamin D levels from easing of symptoms of depression to good cardiovascular health. So why not go for a walk and get a dose of Vitamin D today and give yourself the gift of good health.
Stay safe and stay Gut Happy.
The Gut Happy Girls
xxx