Vitamin D has a limited presence in food, and there are individuals who are at higher risk of deficiency due to diet and lifestyle effects:
- Little exposure to natural light through a sedentary lifestyle eg. shiftworkers, nuns, city dwellers with smog, computer addicts, osteoporotics.
- Fussy eaters; little or no fish, eggs or cereals (coeliacs are vulnerable therefore).
- Sun-Sensitive individuals who wear high factor sunscreen.
- Black and Asian people should consider a supplement.
- Over 65s.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Sensitive Gut such as coeliac, crohns, IBS.
- Overweight individuals are more likely to have Vitamin D Deficiency as their fat cells act as a 'plug' preventing it's use.
- Too sun tanned, body stops producing Vitamin D with high sun tan.
So, I strongly suggest you consider whether your diet and lifestyle provides enough exposure, afterall prevention is better than cure.
Contact: Consultant Nutritionist, Victoria Shorland 07789512825 for more information.