Several studies have shown that there is widespread vitamin D deficiency in Ireland, especially in urban areas such as Dublin. More focus is needed on the “sunshine nutrient”, which we can even get from supplements like BioActive D-Pearls. Read on and find out what makes us deficient...
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that we humans need to maintain strong bones and good health. However, the Irish seem to have a bit of a challenge when it comes to reaching the required levels for optimal vitamin D status. Researchers from Trinity College Dublin and St. James’s Hospital have developed a visual map showing the vitamin D status of inhabitants in Dublin and found that:
• 1 in 8 (or 12.5%) of the population of Greater Dublin is vitamin D-deficient
• The vitamin D-deficiency rate for the most socio-economically deprived and ethnically diverse urban areas is up to 25% (Dublin 8 and Lucan postal districts)
• Women have significantly higher (25% on average) vitamin D levels than men have
• Those aged 18-50 years have considerably lower vitamin D levels than those older than 50
Deficient at birth
The problem with low vitamin D status even appears to start early in life. According to Ireland’s first (and largest) birth cohort study that followed 1,500 first-time mothers and their newborn babies, 46% of the neonates had a vitamin D deficiency at birth. The deficieny problem was substantially higher (62%) among babies born during winter. The study is published in the Journal of Steroid Biochemistry & Molecular Biology.
UK on the top of the list
Another study, which is published in the European Journal of Nutrition (March 2017), followed 1,075 adult men and women from seven different countries, including Ireland. The study found that the UK had the highest prevelance of vitamin D deficiency.
Why are we not getting enough?
There are several reasons why people, especially those living in northern Europe, are not getting enough vitamin D. During the months from October to April, the sun sits too low in the sky for the UV rays to be able to produce vitamin in our skin.
This means that the diet is our only way of getting vitamin D, and that in itself can be a challenge. Oily fish are one of the richest vitamin D sources, but the amount we get from food is minimal compared to the amount we are able to produce ourselves with sun exposure during the summer. Another problem is the widespread use of sun screen that can sometimes block the rays, thereby inhibiting the vitamin D synthesis.
Sunshine in capsules
An alternative is to take a supplement like BioActive D-Pearls that contains biologically active vitamin D3 in soft gelatin capsules. The vitamin content is dissolved in a high-quality olive oil to improve its bioavailability. Studies have shown that this formulation is effectively absorbed in the blood.
BioActive D-Pearls is available in three different versions:
BioActive D-Pearls 38 micrograms
BioActive D-Pearls 75 micrograms
BioActive D-Pearls Junior (5 micrograms)
WHY DO WE NEED VITAMIN D?
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that is needed because it contributes to:
• normal function of the immune system
• the maintenance of normal teeth and bones
• the maintenance of normal muscle function
• normal blood calcium levels
• normal absorption and utilisation of calcium and phosphorous
In addition, vitamin D has a role in the process of cell division and specialisation.
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