I’ve written about vitamin D many times over the years, but a BBC report that came out last week reminded me how important it is to keep getting the message across.
The article featured two young women, aged just 21 and 23, who discovered they had very low vitamin D levels. One was a keen footballer, playing four times a week, who considered herself fit and healthy.
Although the dramatic symptoms described in the report weren’t necessarily caused by vitamin D deficiency, the findings themselves are concerning.
And it made me wonder whether we’re paying enough attention to vitamin D in younger people.
It’s Not Just an Older Person’s Concern
According to figures highlighted in the BBC report, nearly a quarter of UK 11 to 18-year-olds were classified as vitamin D deficient in the latest National Diet and Nutrition Survey.
That’s a statistic I think we should be taking seriously.
Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal bones and teeth, normal muscle function and the normal function of the immune system. During childhood and adolescence, it’s particularly important as bones are still developing.
Yet we often associate vitamin D supplementation with older adults, especially when thinking about bone health.
The reality is that maintaining adequate vitamin D levels matters throughout life.
Who Might Be Missing Out?
Our bodies produce vitamin D when sunlight reaches the skin, but how much we make depends on several factors, including where we live, the time of year, our skin pigmentation and how much time we spend outdoors.
This is particularly relevant in countries such as the UK, where sunlight isn’t strong enough for reliable vitamin D production during autumn and winter.
UK guidance recommends that everyone consider taking 10µg (400IU) of vitamin D daily during autumn and winter. People at greater risk of deficiency, including those with darker skin, those who spend very little time outdoors and those who regularly cover most of their skin when outside, are advised to consider supplementation throughout the year.
Of course, for readers in Australia and elsewhere, the seasons and local recommendations will be different, but the importance of maintaining adequate vitamin D remains the same.
Don’t Forget the Younger Generations
While you’re thinking about your own vitamin D intake, I’d encourage you to think about your children and grandchildren too.
Are they spending much of their time indoors, studying, working or sitting in front of screens? Even young people who are physically active and otherwise healthy may not be getting enough vitamin D.
And it’s worth remembering that a balanced diet alone can make it difficult to obtain sufficient vitamin D, as relatively few foods naturally contain significant amounts.
Of course, anyone concerned about an existing deficiency should speak to their healthcare professional, as correcting a confirmed deficiency may require a different approach from everyday supplementation.
A Convenient Option for Different Ages
I’ve recommended Good Health Naturally’s Vitamin D3 & K2 Spray™ before but it is particularly relevant this week as it offers a flexible intake for all ages.
The vegan formula provides 250IU (6.25µg) of vitamin D3 per spray, alongside vitamin K2 as MK-7. Four sprays provide 1,000IU (25µg) of vitamin D3 and 100µg of vitamin K2, but 1 or 2 sprays a day is enough for young children. You can spray it into the mouth or onto food, since it is unflavoured.
A Message Worth Repeating
I appreciate that vitamin D isn’t a new topic, and regular readers will certainly have heard me talk about it before. But when reports like this keep emerging, I think it’s a reminder that the message still isn’t reaching everyone.
So, whether it’s your own vitamin D intake or that of your children and grandchildren, it’s worth giving it some thought.
Sometimes the most important health messages are the ones we need to keep repeating.
You can read the original BBC report here
And, as always, I’d be interested to hear your thoughts. Have you or someone in your family ever discovered unexpectedly low vitamin D levels?
