Health warning as half of Brits don’t get enough vitamin D – three ways to boost your levels
A NEW study has shown that 57 per cent of UK adults have low vitamin D levels.
It can be produced in the skin following exposure to the sun or from eating fish, beef liver, eggs and cheese and is needed for immunity, bone and muscle health.
We need ten micrograms (mcg) of vitamin D a day.
While you can get this from the sun, we are all advised to take a supplement.
Today we look at ways to boost your levels.
Shot
RUGBY union legend Jonny Wilkinson launched his kombucha company No1 Living in 2018 to help people understand the role of a healthy diet and how it contributes to wellbeing.
Now he has just introduced gut health shots – one that is good for immunity and another for brain health.
I tried “Gut and Immune” which has 4.5g prebiotic fibre, over one billion live cultures, including gut-friendly probiotic bacteria, as well as vitamin D3 from algae and vitamin C from acerola cherry.
These are sugar free but are very sweet with a tropical taste.
A 60ml single shot costs £2.
For more details, see oneliving.com.
Sachet
ZEST Active is a supplement with 25 active ingredients including 12 vitamins, with 200 per cent of your nutrient reference value of vitamin D.
It also contains seven minerals and four amino acids that help grow and repair body tissue and make hormones and brain chemicals.
Plus it contains beta glucans that might lower the risk of heart disease, and choline, which can regulate memory, mood and muscle control.
This is for people aged 18-34 (the company make another product for people over that age).
This is designed as an all-in-one solution to support your overall wellbeing.
It tastes great.
You empty the sachet, add water and you get a really zesty orange drink.
There is no fillers, binders, preservatives, artificial colours or caffeine.
Costs from 85p a sachet.
See reviveactive.com.
Pill
IF you want a no-frills, straight- forward supplement, go for pill form.
Nutravita Vitamin D3 with Vitamin K2 is a good choice.
Vitamin D can support healthy muscle function, normal blood calcium levels and maintenance of normal bones.
But it works brilliantly in conjunction with vitamin K.
While vitamin D alone may help with our calcium absorption, vitamin K – which is found in animal-based foods such as beef liver and cheese – is the nutrient that helps our bones use calcium effectively.
They work together and enhance each other’s benefits to better support bone and heart health.
Each pill in this four-month supply contains 75mcg of vitamin D and 100mcg of vitamin K2.
Get 120 vegetarian capsules for £12.99, nutravita.co.uk.