What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in preserving the equilibrium of calcium and phosphate within your body. It achieves this by facilitating the absorption of calcium and phosphate from both the kidneys and intestines.

The presence of adequate calcium and phosphate is essential for the well-being of your muscles, bones, and teeth. A deficiency in vitamin D may lead to conditions such as osteomalacia, characterised by bone softening and resulting in bone pain, as well as rickets, a condition that affects the bone development of children and can cause bone deformities.

How much Vitamin D do I need per day?

The standard daily recommended intake of Vitamin D for men, women, and children aged over 1 year is 10 micrograms per day. Infants up to 1 year old need a daily intake ranging from 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D.

Benefits of Vitamin D

Vitamin D is naturally synthesized by the body through exposure to sunlight, and it is obtainable from certain foods and supplements. Playing a pivotal role in functions ranging from regulating calcium and phosphorus absorption to aiding immune system functionality, vitamin D offers various benefits.

Exploring some of the advantages of vitamin D:

1. Respiratory Infection Protection: Adequate vitamin D levels may act as a defense against respiratory infections. Studies have indicated that individuals deficient in vitamin D experienced a 12 percent decrease in the risk of respiratory infections after incorporating a vitamin D supplement.
2. Seasonal Depression Symptom Improvement: Insufficient vitamin D levels have been linked to a higher risk of seasonal depression, according to research by the National Institute of Mental Health.
3. Disease Prevention: Vitamin D has been associated with a reduced risk of multiple sclerosis, lower chances of heart disease, and a potential role in mitigating autoimmune diseases. Ensuring sufficient vitamin D intake may contribute to disease prevention.
4. Support for Weight Loss: Research suggests that vitamin D may aid in weight loss. In a study where individuals with obesity followed a diet plan along with vitamin D supplements, they exhibited more significant weight and fat mass loss compared to a placebo group following the diet plan alone.

Symptoms of low Vitamin D

Insufficient intake of vitamin D can result in vitamin D deficiency, leading to a range of issues. Signs and symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in adults may encompass:

• Bone pain
• Fatigue
• Weakness in muscles
• Muscle cramps
• Aching muscles
• Mood changes, including symptoms of depression

In children, vitamin D deficiency can manifest as weak or painful muscles. Additionally, inadequate vitamin D in children may lead to the development of a rare condition called rickets, characterized by improper bone development, bone pain, muscle weakness, and joint deformities.

Vitamin D test kit

To ascertain if you have a vitamin D deficiency, consider using a vitamin D test kit. These tests gauge the vitamin D levels in your bloodstream by analyzing a blood sample, specifically measuring the quantity of 25-hydroxy vitamin D, one of the two vitamin D types present in the blood.

Our vitamin D tests are designed for at-home use, offering a quick, convenient, and accurate way to monitor or screen for bone disorders while effectively measuring vitamin D levels. The MENS home test kit involves sending the sample to a registered laboratory via a pre-paid envelope, ensuring precise and prompt results delivered to you within 2-5 working days.