Written by: Martijn Redegeld
It should no longer be a secret that all vitamins are necessary for numerous processes in the body. We get many of these vitamins from healthy foods such as vegetables, fruit and wholemeal products. Vitamin D, however, is an exception to this. This vitamin can be produced by the body itself under the influence of sunlight. However, this also makes a large part of the Dutch population vulnerable to vitamin D deficiency at certain times of the year. In this blog you can read what you should do to prevent such a deficiency.
What is vitamin D and why is it important?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in the absorption of calcium from food. Calcium is essential for maintaining strong and healthy bones. Vitamin D therefore not only supports bone health, but also plays an important role in the functioning of the immune system and muscles. A daily intake of 10 to 20 micrograms of vitamin D is needed to achieve these health benefits.
How is vitamin D produced?
Vitamin D has the unique ability to be produced in the body by sunlight. This process takes place under the influence of UV radiation, which is also responsible for tanning the skin or burning when exposed to the sun for too long. In the summer months, it is often sufficient to spend 20 to 30 minutes a day in the sun to produce enough vitamin D.
Vitamin D deficiency in the winter months
In the winter months (October to April) there is too little sunlight in the Netherlands to produce sufficient vitamin D. The sun is too low in the sky and the UV radiation is insufficient for the body to produce vitamin D. Furthermore, people who always use sun protection, such as sunscreen or covering clothing, contribute less to the production of vitamin D. People with dark skin also have more difficulty producing vitamin D, which means they often need a supplement.
Vitamin D from food and supplements
Although foods such as fatty fish, meat and eggs can be a source of vitamin D, it is often not enough to reach the daily recommended amount of 10 to 20 micrograms. In the winter months it is therefore recommended to supplement vitamin D. Below is an overview of vitamin D in foods:
Food Vitamin D (micrograms)
100 grams of salmon 4.6
80 grams of mackerel 6.6
1 boiled egg 0.9
100 grams of beef 0.9
1 slice of bread with low-fat margarine 0.4
The Amacx Vitamin D3 drops are an effective way to increase your vitamin D intake. The drops contain the most absorbable form of vitamin D and are dissolved in oil, which optimises the absorption in the body. Just one drop a day (25 micrograms) will provide you with your daily vitamin D requirement. In the event of a recognised deficiency, the dose can be increased to 2 or 3 drops per day. The drops can easily be added to a drink, yoghurt or oatmeal, making it easy to prevent a vitamin D deficiency.
Summary
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Vitamin D plays an essential role in maintaining healthy bones, the immune system and muscles.
- In the summer months, your body can produce enough vitamin D by spending 20-30 minutes in the sun every day.
- In the winter months (October to April), there is insufficient sunlight to produce vitamin D. Supplements are often necessary in these months.
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Amacx Vitamin D3 drops are a high-quality way to increase your vitamin D intake and guarantee optimal absorption. Mix 1 to 3 drops daily with your drink or yoghurt to ensure sufficient vitamin D, even in winter.
With Amacx Vitamin D3 you are assured of an efficient and easy way to support your health, especially in the months when your body has trouble producing vitamin D.
