What is vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for health. What's special about this vitamin is that the body can produce it naturally under the influence of UV radiation (sunlight). When the sun shines on the skin, vitamin D is produced in the skin cells. Food can also be a source of vitamin D, although this is only a very small percentage.
What is vitamin D good for?
The vitamin is essential for health because it influences various aspects of both physical and mental well-being. The nutrient influences:
- Blood : It promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus into the blood, as it helps activate calcium and phosphorus from the bones.
- Bones : It increases calcium absorption in the bones, which is important for maintaining strong bones and bone formation.
- Cell division : It is good for cell division and it contributes to the production of cells and tissues (cell renewal).
- Immune system : It has a positive effect on the immune system and helps to ensure good resistance.
- Mouth & Teeth : It helps to keep and build strong teeth.
- Muscles : It is good for the muscles and plays a role in maintaining strong and supple muscles.
Vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency affects 40% of the Dutch population. This percentage rises to 67% during the fall and winter months. When the body doesn't produce enough vitamin D, it's considered a deficiency. This deficiency can be harmful to physical and mental health.
Vitamin D deficiency symptoms
A vitamin D deficiency can cause various symptoms. These symptoms can vary from person to person, as can their severity. The most common symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency are:
- Fatigue
- A lack of energy
- Decreased mood
- Pain in lower back
- Unhealthy gums
- Weaker bones
- A feeling of listlessness
- Muscle tremors or cramps
- Muscle pain
- Painful joints
- Reduced resistance
Vitamin D deficiency cause
A vitamin D deficiency can have two different causes: insufficient exposure to sunlight or insufficient vitamin D-containing food.
- Insufficient sunlight: More than 90% of the body's vitamin D comes from sunlight exposure. When this exposure is insufficient, vitamin D deficiency can occur.
- Insufficient vitamin D-rich diet: 10% of the body's vitamin D is absorbed through food. However, a deficiency is usually related to a lack of sunlight.
Vitamin D deficiency risk groups
In addition to the various causes of vitamin D deficiency, there are population groups that have an increased risk of deficiency.
Insufficient sunlight
People who don't get enough sunlight have an increased risk of deficiency. This includes people who work primarily indoors and spend less than 60 minutes outdoors per day.
Seniors
Older adults are also at increased risk for vitamin D deficiency. In older people, the skin is not always able to produce sufficient vitamin D, which can lead to a deficiency due to the symptoms mentioned above.
Tinted or dark skin color
For dark skin, it's recommended to take extra vitamin D year-round. The skin can't produce enough vitamin D on its own.
Women in menopause
Women may develop osteoporosis during menopause . This osteoporosis is exacerbated by a vitamin D deficiency.
Babies
It is crucial that babies and growing children get enough vitamin D for normal tooth and bone development.
Vitamin D is very important for the unborn child. It is essential for the normal development of your baby's skeletal system.
Do I have a vitamin D deficiency?
As discussed, a large portion of the Dutch population has a vitamin D deficiency. It is especially recommended for at-risk groups to closely monitor their vitamin D levels and take a daily vitamin D supplement.
Vitamin D value testing
To determine if a vitamin D deficiency exists, a blood test is necessary. This test measures the amount of vitamin D in the blood. This test can be performed by your doctor. Similar tests are also available online, but they are not always reliable.
Is a vitamin D deficiency dangerous?
A vitamin D deficiency isn't immediately dangerous and can be remedied quite easily. However, it's important to diagnose and treat a vitamin D deficiency early to prevent symptoms. However, a prolonged vitamin D deficiency can be detrimental to bone and muscle health.
Supplement vitamin D deficiency
The Dutch Health Council advises people in the at-risk group to take a daily vitamin D supplement. A vitamin D supplement in capsule or pill form can also contribute to the health of people experiencing symptoms of vitamin D deficiency.
Vaud Vitamin D3 is a vitamin D supplement in the most readily absorbable form. What makes Vaud Vitamin D3 unique is the dosage of the active ingredients. The precise method of extracting the nutrients and ingredients ensures the supplement's effectiveness and quality.
