Are Vitamin D supplements necessary for maintaining good health?
Hello everyone,
Vitamin D, sometimes known as the ‘Sunshine Vitamin’ is essential for good health. Most pharmacies and drug stores sell Vitamin D supplements, but can these pills really have a positive effect on our health or are they just a waste of money? We asked 15 experts in pharmacology, nutrition and medicine, ‘Are Vitamin D supplements necessary for maintaining good health?’, here is what they said…
EXPERT CONSENSUS
Are Vitamin D supplements necessary for maintaining good health?
10 out of 15 experts says ‘Yes’
What do we need Vitamin D for?
Dr Vanessa Meyer, an expert in physiology from Witwatersrand University in South Africa, says “There is a lot of evidence at a molecular and cellular level to suggest that maintaining an optimal vitamin D status is essential for good health.” She explains that “Vitamin D plays a role in many physiological responses including calcium homeostasis and bone health, immune function and cellular differentiation. As such, vitamin D deficiency has been associated with a myriad of diseases.” Some of these diseases include bone deformities such as rickets and osteomalacia.
Dr Evertine Wesselink, a nutrition expert from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, adds that “Vitamin D also plays a role in muscle functioning and glucose and fat metabolism. Therefore, maintaining a sufficient vitamin D status (> 50nmol/L) is important.”
Where do we get our Vitamin D from?
Dr Wesselink says “Sunlight is the main source of vitamin D”. Exactly how much sunlight you need to get your recommended Vitamin D requirements depends on your skin type and the climate of where you live. Vitamin D can also be found in some foods like red meat, egg yolks and oily fish.
You can also get Vitamin D by taking supplements, these are often found in tablet form.
Are Vitamin D supplements essential?
Professor Bernard Corfe, a nutrition expert from Sheffield University in the UK, says “This depends on the person. Many people can get enough vitamin D through diet and sunlight exposure. However, for those that can't supplements are recommended.”
Professor Darryl Eyles, an expert in vitamins and neurobiology from Queensland University in Australia, adds that “If you are vitamin D sufficient (25OHD levels between 50-75nM) then supplementation will achieve very little.”
Who should take Vitamin D supplements?
Taking supplements is only useful if you are not getting enough Vitamin D. You may not be getting your recommended Vitamin D dose for a variety of reasons.
Dr Ramune Jacbosen, an expert in pharmacology from Copenhagen University in Denmark, says “in high latitude countries, where there is not enough sun during winters, supplementation (in Denmark, 10 mikrogr per day) is recommended to people with increased risk of vitamin D deficiency, e.g. elderly, pregnant women, people with darker skin.”
Even if you don’t live in Denmark, you are possibly not getting enough Vitamin D. Dr Nipith Charoenngam, an expert in medicine from Mahidol University in Thailand, says “you are likely to have vitamin D deficiency at some point unless you live in a tropical area and have regular sunlight exposure, and therefore vitamin D supplement is necessary to achieve healthy vitamin D status which is essential for bone health.”
Dr Meyer summarises: “So, are vitamin D supplements necessary for maintaining good health? This depends on your status and risk factors for deficiency. If you are unsure about your vitamin D status and whether or not you should be supplementing, consult your healthcare provider advice.”
The takeaway:
Many people are likely to not have enough Vitamin D in the winter months. Taking supplements can ensure Vitamin D levels remain optimal.
May the facts be with you!
Eva
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