These are all the essential nutrients that your body needs in small amounts to work properly. The good news is that most people should be able to get all the nutrients they need by eating a varied and balanced diet.
However, between October and early March we don’t get enough vitamin D from sunlight, as the body only creates vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin when outdoors.
Please be mindful of unproven claims that vitamin D can help with a range of medical conditions, it’s this kind of advice which is partly to blame for people taking far too much unnecessarily with negative consequences.
Ultimately, if we are to regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body which is needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy, we must consider including more vitamin d foods to our diet and perhaps even supplement.
Sources include;
Oily fish – such as salmon, sardines, mackerel
Red meat
Liver
Egg yolks
Mushrooms (left in the sun)
Fortified cereals
A sensible approach would be to consider taking vitamin D supplements as recommended but also be alert for possible signs of excessive vitamin D levels causing a build-up of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia). Warning signs and symptoms of hypercalcemia include loss of appetite, feeling and being sick, and needing to pee frequently!
If you’re unsure or feel you need more support, please visit your GP or a Registered Nutritionist or Dietitian.