Overview
Why do I need vitamin D?
It keeps your bones, teeth and muscles healthy and can protect against more serious conditions.
What are the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency?
Aches and pains in bones and joints. Persistent colds and flu.
How do I get vitamin D?
Through eggs, milk, fatty fish and sunlight, but many people don’t get enough vitamin D.
How do I know if I have vitamin D deficiency?
A simple blood test is the only way to tell. Book yours now.
Did You Know?
Two large studies have shown a possible link between low vitamin D levels and the risk of developing dementia. Further studies are planned.
Why do we need vitamin D?
Your body needs the right amount of vitamin D to keep your bones, teeth and muscles healthy. Studies also suggest that a lack of vitamin D can contribute to some cancers, cardiovascular disease and type 1 diabetes.
Where does vitamin D come from?
Some of the food we eat (such as milk, eggs and fatty fish like tuna and salmon) contains vitamin D naturally, and it’s often included in fortified foods like breakfast cereals and some spreads.
But most of the vitamin D we need is the result of sunlight on our skin. If you have dark pigmented skin, spend most of your time indoors, or wear sunscreen regularly, you’re unlikely to be getting all the vitamin D you need.
What are the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency?
According to some studies, up to half the general population could have too little vitamin D in their diet or from sunlight.
If you don’t have enough vitamin D, you may notice aches and pains in your bones and joints. You might also find that you are more likely to suffer from colds and flu, because vitamin D deficiency can weaken your immune system.
A lack of vitamin D can contribute to the onset of type 1 diabetes, especially in children and young adults. A study by the IMC Heart Institute in Utah found that vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk of major cardiovascular problems including heart attacks, heart failure and stroke.
How can I get the vitamin D I need?
Public Health England recommends that adults and children over the age of one should have 10 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin D every day, and that this should be taken in supplement form if you’re not getting the recommended daily amount from your diet or via sunlight.
Yet taking too much vitamin D can also be harmful (leading to nausea, vomiting and potential kidney problems), so how do you know what your vitamin D levels are? The only way to know whether you have too much or too little vitamin D is with a simple blood test.
Who should get tested?
Anyone can take the test, but those most likely to have a vitamin D deficiency include people who:
- Have darker skin pigmentation
- Have limited exposure to sunlight
- Regularly use sunscreen
- Suffer from Crohn’s disease, coeliac disease and cystic fibrosis
How do I get tested?
Vitamin D testing with Better2Know Your Body couldn’t be simpler. One simple blood test is all you need to tell you if your body has all the vitamin D it needs.
To get tested and find out what is causing your ill health please contact Better2Know your Body on the number above or click book now on the button below.