According to the NHS, we should all take vitamin D supplements from October. Here’s why
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There can be little doubt in anyone’s mind that winter is well and truly on its way.
And those of us who live in the UK could be more susceptible to vitamin deficiencies than those living in more temperate climates. That’s especially the case where vitamin D is concerned. It comes down to geography and diet.
The arrival of autumn and winter in the northern hemisphere coincides with shorter daylight hours, which not only means we commute in the dark, but the sun is no longer as strong.
Autumn is here and winter is just around the corner – and that means we need to get more vitamin D from our diet
From October the sun lacks sufficient levels of UVB radiation for our bodies to make vitamin D, otherwise affectionately known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’.
As a consequence, between October and March, we need to get more vitamin D from our diet to prevent us from becoming deficient. However, it’s difficult to get enough vitamin D from food alone. Following advice from Public Health England, the NHS recommends everyone over the age of five should consider taking a supplement containing 10 micrograms (μg) of vitamin D.
With this recommendation in mind, Cambridge-based health supplements company FutureYou has developed Super Vitamin D with K2+. Their vegan friendly formulation contains 25μg of vitamin D along with the lesser known vitamin K2.
Coinciding with the start of October, FutureYou Cambridge are offering customers their first month’s supply of Super Vitamin D with K2+ for free when they sign up for a flexible £15 a month subscription. If customers choose not to continue with monthly deliveries they can cancel the arrangement at any time, no questions asked.
From October the sun in the UK lacks sufficient levels of UVB radiation for our bodies to make vitamin D
‘Due to location and diet, people in the UK could be more likely to be low in both vitamin D and K. It therefore made sense for us to work on a formulation which included both of these vitamins.’ says Miriam Ferrer, head of product development at FutureYou Cambridge.
‘It makes even more sense when you understand that these vitamins both play synergistic roles in maintaining our bones. We need vitamin D to ensure the body absorbs and utilises calcium and phosphorus normally. Meanwhile vitamin K contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.’
Vitamin D contributes to musculoskeletal health. It allows calcium and phosphorus to be absorbed normally, contributes to the maintenance of normal bones, and plays a role in the maintenance of normal teeth. It also contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system, maintenance of normal muscle function and contributes to normal blood calcium levels.
Foods naturally rich in vitamin D include fatty fish, fish oils, liver and eggs. Other foods such as margarine, powdered milk and breakfast cereals are often fortified with vitamin D in the UK.
FutureYou has developed Super Vitamin D with K2+, a vegan friendly formulation that contains 25μg of vitamin D along with the lesser known vitamin K2
Along with calcium, vitamin D continues to be the most recognised nutrient associated with bone health. However, there’s a growing awareness of vitamin K; a family of fat-soluble vitamins including K1 and K2.
Vitamin K1 is found in leafy green vegetables such as broccoli, kale, spinach and brussels sprouts. Vitamin K2 is found in particularly high concentrations in fermented foods. These include sauerkraut, hard cheese and natto, a traditional Japanese dish made with fermented soybeans. It is also found in lower levels in egg yolk, chicken and pork.
‘In the last 5 years, our knowledge of the role of vitamin K and how it contributes to the maintenance of normal bones has increased greatly.’ says Ferrer.
Low levels of vitamin D can lead to muscle weakness, falls and fragility fractures in older people. It has been found that vitamin D helps to reduce the risk of falling associated with postural instability and muscle weakness. Falling is a risk factor for bone fractures, particularly among men and women aged 60 and over (the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 20µg of vitamin D).
A lack of sunshine at this time of the year affects the vast majority of us in the UK. However, there are some groups at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency year round. These include pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with darker skin, people who are housebound and those who cover up in the sunshine.
Fatty fish and fish oils are foods that are naturally a good source of vitamin D
Following recommendations from the government’s Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), the NHS advises everyone over the age of five in the UK should consider taking a supplement containing 10μg of vitamin D between the months of October and March. People in at-risk groups are advised to take a vitamin D supplement all year round. Adults shouldn’t take more than 100μg of vitamin D a day while children between the ages of one and ten shouldn’t exceed 50μg a day.
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a child under four years of age it’s worth checking if you qualify for the NHS’s Healthy Start scheme. You may be entitled to free vitamin D supplements.
The European Food Standard Authority (EFSA) define daily adequate intakes of vitamin K for adults of 70μg a day.
Adam Cleevely, CEO of FutureYou Cambridge concludes, ‘Here in the UK, we’re incredibly fortunate to have access to the NHS. Most of us will have relied on them for advice and support at some point in our lives. Their advice to consider taking vitamin D between October and March is something we can all heed. Here in Cambridge, we’re proud to have developed a high-quality vitamin D supplement that may help you achieve the recommended daily intake of 10 micrograms.’
It’s important to highlight that people who are taking anticoagulants such as warfarin should not take any vitamin K supplements containing more than 100μg of vitamin K, including Super Vitamin D with K2+, unless under the advice of their doctor. If you are taking any prescribed medication or have any medical conditions you should always consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking vitamins or supplements.
So there we have it… we’re advised to consider taking vitamin D supplements by the NHS between October and March primarily due to a lack of sunlight during this period in the UK. Some would argue it’s a small price to pay for living in a location where we enjoy the beauty of the four seasons.
Ad Feature: Claim your FREE pack of Super Vitamin D with K2+ today. Simply pay £1.50 postage
To claim your free 28 day pack of Super Vitamin D with K2+, simply pay £1.50 postage when you sign up to a monthly delivery service. Please visit https://futureyouhealth.com/dmd7 or call us on 0800 808 5740 (freephone) quoting the code DMD7 to claim your free pack. Our Customer Care Team is available from 9.00am to 5.00pm, seven days a week.
After your free trial pack your subsequent packs containing 28 days’ supply will cost £15 (inc p&p) and will be delivered every 28 days.
If you don’t wish to continue after your trial, simply visit futureyouhealth.com to cancel your subscription or call us on 0800 808 5740 (freephone), without obligation.
Offer valid until 23.59 GMT 31st December 2019. One use per customer. Offer cannot be combined with any other offers / discounts or used against existing subscriptions.
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