BetterYou are also hitting the road and travelling to the following cities in the UK to spread the word about vitamin D awareness: Edinburgh, Bradford, Sheffield, Birmingham and London. If they are coming to your city or near, make sure you visit them. They will be actually “Testing the Nation” by using their expert Vitamin D Testing Service in collaboration with Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS trust. The results of vitamin D levels of the UK population will later be published in an exclusive report.

Last year I had myself tested for vitamin D deficiency and I learnt that I wasn’t getting enough of vitamin D through my diet or sun exposure. I wasn’t that much surprised by the results as I avoid sun like a plague. My conclusion was that I’d rather take supplements than look older due to sun exposure. The problem these days is that I forget to take my supplements which reminds me that I should really get myself tested again.

 

There are certain risk groups which are actually recommended supplementation by the Department of Health and these are as follows:

• small children under the age of 5
• elderly people aged 65 years and over
• pregnant and breastfeeding women
• people with darker skin and
• people with low or no exposure to the sun

But do you know why it’s important to know your levels of vitamin D, making sure you are getting enough? In summary, it’s to stay healthy and decrease the risk of developing certain illnesses which are associated with low vitamin D levels.

Vitamin D has many functions and here are just a few:

• it is essential for healthy teeth and bones
• involved in metabolism of calcium and phosphorus
• helps the body utilise vitamin A
• anticancer activity, especially against breast and colon cancer
• it helps osteoporosis and other bone diseases
• keeps your immune system strong

Read more about the importance of vitamin D and vitamin D testing here.

Have you ever had yourself tested for vitamin D deficiency or are you planning to? Did you know the importance of vitamin D?