Winter and vitamin D: the vital duo!

WHAT IS VITAMIN D USED FOR IN WINTER?

Winter, with its lack of sunshine, increases the risk of vitamin D deficiency, particularly between October and April, the months of the year when sunlight levels are lowest.

Vitamin D is unique in that it functions as both a vitamin and a hormone. Produced by the body, vitamin D is synthesised by the skin under the action of the sun’s ultraviolet rays and stored in the liver, muscles and fat. It is crucial for bone health, as it helps with the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. It also plays an important role in strengthening our immune system, helps maintain normal bone structure, is involved in the process of cell division and contributes to normal muscle function.

WHAT ARE THE SOURCES OF VITAMIN D

Vitamin D can be obtained in several ways.

Exposure to the sun is the best-known natural source. However, in winter, we often have to turn to food sources such as oily fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines), egg yolks and fortified products such as certain milks and cereals.

OPT FOR A VITAMIN D CURE

Daily drops are generally preferred as they are easy to add to your daily routine. The drops can be taken undiluted or mixed in a liquid or semi-liquid food. There are no swallowing problems (unlike tablets or capsules).

Fill up on vitamin D in winter with Irati drops made from vitamin D3, the form best absorbed by the body.

5 drops a day provide 25 µg or 1000 IU of vitamin D.

Good to know

In winter, reduced sunlight can affect our mood, sometimes leading to seasonal depression. Light therapy is an effective solution. It uses special lamps that mimic natural sunlight, but without emitting ultraviolet light, so it has no effect on vitamin D synthesis. It helps to regulate the hormone melatonin, improving mood and the sleep-wake cycle. Used daily, it can significantly reduce the symptoms of seasonal depression.