Vitamin D Facts

In vitamin news, February marks the month where typically in the UK we are at our lowest levels of Vitamin D. By this point in the calendar, stores produced in our skin through exposure to the sun during summer months have worn down, and unless you've been lucky enough to get a dose of winter sun (unlikely given the current climate!) then it's highly likely you could do with a little top up.

Given this, we thought it might be worth a quick refresh on all things Vit D.

Top 10 Vitamin D Facts

1. Vitamin D is vital for our overall health – this is evident from the fact that every single cell in our body has receptors for vitamin D.
2. It is not actually a vitamin but a hormone, produced in the skin in response to sunlight and converted into its' activeform – vitamin D3.
3. Especially important for the immune system, encouraging the production of anti-bacterial and anti-viral immune cells.
4. During the winter months, not getting enough vit D can affect the brain and nervous system and is linked to low mood, low energy and fatigue.
5. If you're trying to shift festive weight gain, vitamin D is crucial for weight management, helping to regulate insulin and blood sugar levels.
6. Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium, for healthy bones and teeth.
7. Vitamin D is important for lung function and cardiovascular health. Evidence suggests people with insufficient vit D levels are up to 40% more likely to suffer with respiratory infections.
8. In supplements always choose vitamin D3 which is stored and utilised 500% faster than the plant form D2.
9. In the UK, it is impossible to get enough from sunlight alone, the Vitamin D council say 1 in 5 of us are lacking.
10. The UK government recommend 10 micrograms/400 IUs Vit D per day, which is equivalent to 1 salmon fillet or 10 eggs, but considering our own body can manufacture between 10,000 and 25,000 per day some research suggests for optimal health we should be aiming for much more.

At Get More Vits we have plenty of ways to keep your vitamin D levels topped up, choose from the delicious and bestselling Mango & Passionfruit still drink, our refreshing sparkling option in a can, Orange & Mango effervescent tablets, Orange flavoured vitamin D oral spray and new vitamin D supplements! You can also get that all-important sunshine vitamin in our Multivits products and Kids drinks.

Congratulations on making it through one of the toughest months of the year. January does tend to drag doesn't it... However, with spring and summer still a way off it might be time to top up your levels of vitamin D.

In the UK, by the time we reach the end of Feb, stores of vitamin D that were built up last summer are almost run out and unless you've been lucky enough to squeeze in some winter sun (unlikely we know), then it's worth thinking about supplementing to see you through the next few months.

It is impossible to get enough vitamin D through food alone, you could eat a whole of lot eggs (10 a day to hit your recommended allowance!), but otherwise salmon is your best source. So here's a simple recipe and our take on a healthy fish and chips to help you boost your levels. With Salmon, you also get a helping of anti-inflammatory omega 3, while sweet potatoes provide plenty of fibre for a healthy digestive system and skin loving beta carotene, which when converted in vitamin A in the body... and can of course help you see in the dark ;)

Oven baked salmon with Cajun sweet potato wedges

Ingredients (serves 2)

• 2 salmon fillets (or half a side of salmon for big appetites or leftovers!)
• 1-2 garlic cloves
• 1 red chilli
• 1 lemon
• 2-3 sweet potatoes
• Bag of rocket salad
• Olive oil
• Smoked paprika
• Dried chilli flakes
• Salt & pepper

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius
2. Wash & dry potatoes before cutting into wedges, keep the peel on for more fibre.
3. Toss wedges in 1 tbsp olive oil, a sprinkle of smoke paprika and chilli flakes, then season with plenty of salt & pepper before spreading out on a baking tray and placing in the oven to bake for 40 mins.
4. Prep the salmon, remove from packaging, then place salmon fillets on a separate baking sheet lined with enough tin foil to wrap the fish for cooking.
5. Finely chop 1-2 cloves of garlic and de-seed and slice the chilli.
6. Chop a wedge of lemon and squeeze over salmon fillets before sprinkling with fresh garlic and chilli and loosely wrapping in foil.
7. Place salmon in the oven according to instructions, usually 20-30 mins depending on the size of the fillets.
8. When both the wedges and salmon are ready, simply serve with a handful of rocket salad and a dollop of mayo, yum!