If the sun is out in September, I am also out, soaking up the last of the year’s source of vitamin D supply the way nature intended. In three to four weeks, the UK’s UVB radiation will not be strong enough to supply us with this all-important vitamin. I say vitamin but it is actually a hormone. For some unknown reason, we refer to it as a vitamin. I suppose it does simplify things. Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. It also plays a key role in boosting our immune system, which I think right now is a very good idea. If you choose to eat meat as in animals rather than the origin of the word mete which incidentally comes from old English meaning food in general then you might be getting some Vit D through your food. This is providing the animal has been exposed to sufficient sunlight. Animals that are reared indoors will be supplemented with Vit D so you may be consuming a second-hand supplement; but how much is anyone’s guess. One in five people in the UK is said to be deficient. Unlike America, the Uk doesn’t fortify milk, so dairy is not considered a source of Vit D. Some plant milk’s and cereals are fortified. Tanning beds are a way to boost Vit D but not something I would choose because of the skin cancer risks. I choose a Vit D3 supplement which I take from November until the end of May. Even though I won’t be getting Vit-D from the sunlight during October, it is fat-soluble and can be stored for a month or two in the body, hence the November start. The NHS recommend 400iu (international units) a day. Some studies show the optimum level for adults should be a daily intake of 2000iu. Too much Vit-D can be dangerous. The NHS advises not to take more than 4000iu a day. If you choose to supplement you have a choice of D2 or D3. D3 is said to be the better more effective choice. D3 is produced either from the lanolin in sheep’s wool or from lichen. I choose the latter. In the meantime, the sun has still got his hat on.
Ben Marfleet Massage Therapy 