The effects of the Sun and vitamin D on your health

1
1108
sunshine vitamin D

Vitamins are well-known for their importance to the human body, but many people overlook how to obtain them. Vitamin D is no exception; this vitamin is also known as “the sunshine vitamin.”

sunshine

Within this article, we’ll explain how the term “vitamin D” came about, as well as what you can do to get more of this vitamin.

What Is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is a required vitamin that assists with a variety of bodily processes. It’s also known to:

● Maintain bone health
● Contribute to your body’s calcium absorption
● Contribute to the functioning of your immune system

Vitamin D, unlike any other vitamin or mineral, can be acquired from the sun. It may also be found in high-fat and high-oil meals, which emphasizes the need for a balanced diet.

Why Is It Called The Sunshine Vitamin?

Vitamin D is made in your skin when you are exposed to sunshine, hence its name. Your entire body must be exposed to sunlight for 30 minutes each day to meet your vitamin D needs. So, exactly, how does it work? When your skin cells are exposed to sunlight’s UVB radiation, your cholesterol musters up energy, allowing vitamin D synthesis to occur.

vitamin D synthesis

Can I Get Enough Vitamin D From The Sun?

Vitamin D3, unlike vitamin D2, is made by the body upon exposure to sunlight. Although sunshine alone might provide enough vitamin D, this depends on the time of year and where you live. According to the NHS, spending around 30 minutes outside should be sufficient to fulfill vitamin D requirements in the summer months. In contrast, in the winter it’s not quite the same.

During the fall and winter months, the sun in the United Kingdom isn’t strong enough to help our bodies produce vitamin D. This, in combination with more time spent indoors, makes it very difficult to get adequate vitamin D from sunlight alone.

If you spend a lot of time indoors or live in the United Kingdom during the winter months, you must supplement your vitamin D levels.

Should I Take Vitamin D Supplements?

Vitamin D is also present in fatty and rich foods. However, this isn’t always reliable, and will entirely rely on your diet and other lifestyle elements. With this in mind, many individuals take vitamin D supplements to ensure that they get adequate vitamin D throughout the darker months.

The UK Department of Health has urged everyone to consider taking daily vitamin D supplements, particularly during the fall and winter when there isn’t as much sunshine or time spent outdoors. This will ensure that your body receives the correct amount of vitamin D on days when maintaining a healthy diet and getting enough sunlight is difficult.

Embrace The Vitamin We All Need

Vitamin D is essential for the body, therefore it’s crucial to obtain enough of it each day. You’ll have everything you need if you eat a balanced diet and take vitamin D supplements, plus some time in the sun.

1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY