This Morning: Dr Chris discusses vitamin D and Covid
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In turn, these keep our bones, muscles, and teeth strong.
A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities and bone pain, says the NHS.
Due to the lack of vitamin D people get during the autumn and winter, the government recommends taking vitamin D supplements.
The NHS recommends that people should have no more than 4000 IU (100 micrograms) of Vitamin D in their system per day.
How do you know if you’re low on vitamin D?
One study suggests that a sign of Vitamin D deficiency may be present in sleep.
Dr Michael Breus suggests that a sign of a vitamin D deficiency may be poor sleep.
According to the US MD, a recent study found Vitamin D deficiency is linked to “short sleep duration”.
Dr Breus added: “In 2018, scientists at China’s Qingdao University analysed the findings of several studies that looked at Vitamin D’s role in sleep.”
“Their analysis identified significant connections between low levels of Vitamin D and a lack of sleep. They also found low levels of Vitamin D were connected to poor sleep quality.”
What should we do if we are low on vitamin D and how can we increase our levels if we don’t want to resort to supplements?
Fortunately, the answer, as it is with high blood pressure, is in your diet.
The NHS has a list of foods that have healthy levels of vitamin D.
These include oily fish such as salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel.
Furthermore, you can also find vitamin D in red meat, egg yolks and fortified foods.
This includes some fat spreads and breakfast cereals.
If you prefer to take vitamin D supplements instead of or alongside these dietary choices, then it is recommended by the NHS that you only need to take them until April.
At this point your body will begin to start generating enough vitamin D from sunlight.
If you take too much vitamin D over a prolonged period this can lead to calcium build up that can weaken your bones, damage your kidneys and your heart.
Whilst you can overdose on vitamin D through taking too many supplements, you cannot overdose on vitamin D if you sit in the sun for too long.
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