Why Do We Need Vitamin D?

To really invest in bone health don't forget Vitamin D!

Most of us know that Calcium is key for bones, what most people don't realise is that Vitamin D is also very important.

That's because Vitamin D helps the body absorb and use Calcium.

And did you know that nearly 8 in 10 women have Vitamin D intakes below the EU recommendation (5µg/day)*?

How do I get Vitamin D in my diet?

There are 3 main sources of Vitamin D:

Sun exposure

Vitamin D Sources

Diet

Vitamin D Sources

Supplementation

Vitamin D Sources

Vitamin D is unlike any other vitamin because it can be made by our bodies from a reaction with UVB rays from the sun. And in fact most of our Vitamin D comes from sunshine. You should try to get ten minutes of sun exposure to your bare skin, once or twice a day, without sunscreen. Take care not to burn though!

But it can be tough to get sun! In winter in particular the sun is too low in the sky for the UVB rays needed to create Vitamin D to reach the ground. Luckily you can also get Vitamin D through your diet. Very few foods contain significant amounts of Vitamin D naturally but some products are fortified with Vitamin D.

Below are some examples of food which contain Vitamin D:

picture of foods containing Vitamin D

Salmon

picture of foods containing Vitamin D

Sardines

picture of foods containing Vitamin D

Eggs

picture of foods containing Vitamin D

Butter


Click here if you live in the UK for foods containing Vitamin D:
Click here if you live in Ireland for foods containing Vitamin D:

And one serving of Cal-in+ gives you
5µg Vitamin D - which is 100% RDA!

Cal-in+

* "Nearly 8 in 10 women have Vitamin D intakes below the EU recommendation (5µg/day)" UK : Data from the National Nutrition & Diet Surveys 2000-01 NDNS, Ireland: Data from the National Adult Nutrition Survey, summary report, March 2011

** Recommended Daily Allowance

Keeping Bones Strong

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> Find out more about bones and how to keep them strong

Health Care Professionals

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> Find out more about Nutrition and Bone Health here