I was watching BBC Breakfast News this morning when a lady came on talking about the importance of vitamin D supplementation (more accurately vitamin D3 supplementation). This is even more important over the winter months.
What the difference between D and D3?
“Vitamin D2 is the form of D that is found in fortified foods like milk, juices or cereals and D3 is the form that is synthesized by the skin when it’s exposed to the sun or (ultraviolet light/UVB). D2 (ergocalciferol) can be found, in some plants/fungus. D3 (cholecalciferol) is the sunlight form, and can also be obtained from animals that manufactured it through their skin, like that in fish liver. Since the body can produce this it’s actually considered a hormone and not a vitamin.” – Pam Flores
With that said, I would like to share this important information (from Nature’s Sunshine) on the importance of vitamin D.
“74% of parents know nothing about them and more than half of healthcare professionals are also unaware”
The chief medical officer for England has told the BBC she will be contacting doctors, nurses and midwives to raise concerns about vitamin D deficiency. Government guidelines recommend that certain groups, including children under five and pregnant women, should take a daily supplement.
But according to one recent study, nearly three quarters of parents and more than half of health professionals aren’t aware of the recommendations . A quarter of all toddlers in the UK are lacking Vitamin D, according to research.
Vitamin D supplements are recommended for those people at risk of deficiency, including all pregnant and breastfeeding women, children under five and the elderly, but 74% of parents know nothing about them and more than half of healthcare professionals are also unaware, the BBC said.
Dr Benjamin Jacobs, consultant paediatrician at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, described the issue as a “major problem”.
He told BBC Breakfast: “We see about one case of rickets a month in our hospital, but that’s the very severe end of the disease.
“There are many other children who have less severe problems – muscle weakness, delay in walking, bone pains – and research indicates that in many parts of the country the majority of children have a low level of Vitamin D.”
Chief medical officer Professor Dame Sally Davies said the Government would be reviewing the issue. She said: “We know a significant proportion of people in the UK probably have inadequate levels of vitamin D in their blood. People at risk of vitamin D deficiency, including pregnant women and children under five, are already advised to take daily supplements.
” Our experts are clear -low levels of vitamin D can increase the risk of poor bone health, including rickets in young children.”
“Many health professionals such as midwives, GPs and nurses give advice on supplements, and it is crucial they continue to offer this advice as part of routine consultations and ensure disadvantaged families have access to free vitamin supplements through our Healthy Start scheme.
” It is important to raise awareness of this issue and I will be contacting health professionals on the need to prescribe and recommend vitamin D supplements to at-risk groups. The Department of Health has also asked the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition to review the important issue of current dietary recommendations on vitamin D.”
The Press Association.
Best of luck!
Joe
P.S. feel free to have a read of Latest research says fair-skinned individuals need vitamin D supplementation… and more, and Vitamin D more than just “the sunshine vitamin”
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