Nutrients Database

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Vitamin D (Calciferol)

Vitamin D is also known as calciferol. Many people in the UK are deficient in Vitamin D. There are several reasons for this and the two main ones are:  it is difficult to make any Vitamin D in the skin from November to March if you live north of Birmingham and there is growing pressure to use sun screen in the summer at all times.

Good sources of Vitamin D:

Our body produces vitamin D from the action of sunlight on our skin. It is also available from foods including oily fish (herrings, sardines, trout, mackerel) and eggs. Fortified foods are a good source including low fat spreads and breakfast cereals, soya products, although be careful – these are often processed.

The key functions of Vitamin D are:

  • the growth of bones by stimulating the absorption of Calcium, which makes the up majority of bone structure.
  • It therefore aids the development of healthy bones and teeth in childhood and helps maintain bones and teeth in later years
  • promotes immune function, your body’s defences against disease.
  • has also been linked with many health conditions including: bone fracture, bone density, muscle strength, cancer mortality, osteoarthritis, depression and chronic fatigue.

Vitamin D is protected in the body by the antioxidant vitamins A,C and E and often at low levels in those who have a lack of sunlight. It is depleted by a high consumption of fried foods. Do not exceed the upper safety limit of 4000 iu per day.

Also Read

Vitamin D Defciency

Vitamin D & Sunlight

Bone health for children

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