Blog written and produced by Monika Smiechowska – Sports Therapist and Injury Rehabilitation specialist.
If you, like many others, have worked from home throughout the lockdown period, it is possible that your body has/is lacking Vitamin D.
As humans, we need Vitamin D to help the body in calcium and phosphate absorption from our diet, as this is essential to maintain healthy bones, teeth and soft tissue (muscles) around the body.
In the UK, we get most of our Vitamin D from sunlight exposure from around late March/early April to the end of September.
A lack of Vitamin D, also known as Vitamin D deficiency, can cause long term problems to the skeletal system by causing bones to become soft and weak. People who work in closed spaces such as basement or offices are most at risk.
How to top up your Vitamin D?
- Diet: consume oily fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines), red meat and eggs.
- Supplements: Vitamin D dietary supplements – remember, you cannot out-supplement a good diet!
- Spend time in the sun – remember to always wear sun protection. In the UK, during winter (October to early March) the sunlight does not contain enough UVB radiation for our skin to be able to make Vitamin D. Due to this, during the winter period we rely on diet and supplements to keep our Vitamin D intake on track.
If you are ever in doubt, or unsure about your Vitamin/Mineral status, it is strongly recommended to consult your practitioner. They can help offer advice on dietary needs and also help guide you towards better and healthier options for your specific needs.
