Vitamin D
Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, doesn’t just make us feel good – it also has a range of other health benefits. Taking vitamin D supplements can help you to top up on this essential vitamin that the sunlight brings.
More about vitamin d
From vitamin D tablets to sprays, capsules and more, we offer a range of supplements to help you top up your Vitamin D levels – ensuring you won’t have a Vitamin D deficiency and will have a top-notch immune system, all year round.
What is vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin and also an essential nutrient that’s mostly produced in your skin when it’s exposed to UV rays from sunlight, but can also be absorbed by some of the food you eat. You don’t always get enough from these sources, so you may consider taking vitamin D supplements, which can keep your levels topped up. You can buy vitamin D online in the form of vitamin D tablets, capsules, drops and sprays.
Why is vitamin D important?
Vitamin D plays a crucial role in your bodily systems. Vitamin D helps to regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in your body. These are the essential nutrients you need to keep your bones, teeth and muscles healthy.
If you don’t get enough vitamin D, you could experience bone pain called osteomalacia. A lack of vitamin D can also be dangerous for children and could cause a bone deformity called rickets.
How much vitamin D do I need?
Adults – even those who are pregnant and breastfeeding – and children from the age of 1 need 10 micrograms of vitamin D every day. This also includes people who are at risk of a vitamin D deficiency. Babies need anywhere between 8.5 – 10 micrograms each day.
Where can I get vitamin D from?
You can get Vitamin D from the sun, your diet or from supplements. From late March to the end of September, one of the best sources of vitamin D is from direct sunlight. When your skin is exposed to UVB rays, your body creates vitamin D. Unfortunately, sitting inside by a sunny window won’t help, because UVB rays can’t get through the glass.
Read more about Vitamin D and seasonality in our guide: Do I need vitamin D this winter?
You can also get vitamin D from oily fish like salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel, as well as from red meat, liver, egg yolks, fortified foods and, of course, vitamin D supplements.
During the winter months, from October to March, the sunlight in the UK doesn’t contain enough UVB for your skin to produce vitamin D. That’s why the NHS recommends you include vitamin D fortified foods or vitamin D supplements, such as Vitabiotics Ultra Vitamin D 1000 IU Tablets, to your diet during these months.
Interestingly, there's been lots of talk about Vitamin D and COVID-19. Check out what our pharmacist had to say about whether vitamin D prevents covid-19 or not.
Am I at risk of vitamin D deficiency?
If you get very little direct sunlight, or none at all, you could be at risk of a vitamin D deficiency. This happens especially during the long winter months when you cover up and there’s not enough UVB in the sunlight to make your body produce vitamin D. If you, or a loved one, is frail or housebound or are in a care home where you don’t go outside very often, you could be especially susceptible to a vitamin D deficiency. Also, people who have darker skin, like those from an African, African-Caribbean or South Asian background may not make enough vitamin D from sunlight.
How can I increase my vitamin D levels?
During the summer months, you may be able to produce all the vitamin D they need from direct sunlight. However, not all of our summers are sunny (and there’s still winter to think about), so you may need to supplement with other sources. You can increase your vitamin D levels by spending more time in direct sunlight, eating foods that contain vitamin D, or take vitamin D high strength supplements like Nature’s Aid Vitamin D3 5000 IU Tablets.
How many types of vitamin D are there?
There are two main types of vitamin D – vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is produced in your skin when you get direct sunlight and it’s also found in animal-based foods. Vitamin D2 is largely created by humans and added to different kinds of food to fortify it. Both vitamin D3 and vitamin D2 do the same thing in your body and are equally as beneficial for you. If you’re looking to buy vitamin D online, we have a wide range of options. Some of our best sellers are:
- Cytoplan Vegan Vitamin D3 2500 IU Tablets, which is ideal for vegetarians and vegans
- Wellkid Peppa Pig Vitamin D Formula Soft Jellies – great for kids aged 3 – 7
- Nutri Advanced Vitamin D3 Drops – perfect if you don’t like taking tablets or capsules
- Vitamin D3 400IU softgels with a form of vitamin D that’s easily used by the body