Vitamin D3, 2500 IU Monthly pack - Information
In the Nordic countries, vitamin D is in short supply
Vitamin D is formed in the skin when exposed to sunlight during the spring and summer months in Sweden. Between May and September, absorption through the skin is at its best, provided you don't use sunscreen or full-coverage clothing. During the summer months, the sun is the primary source of vitamin D, but from late autumn until spring, it is not really possible to count on any significant synthesis in the body, because the UV-B radiation is filtered away in the atmosphere when the sun is low. Until just a few years ago, many people took it for granted that the synthesized amount of vitamin D that is formed in the body during the summer should also cover the need during the winter months, because vitamin D is fat-soluble and can therefore be stored in the body. However, it is now known that the synthesized amount is often not sufficient, but that it is only certain people who have produced the amount required to cover a larger part of the need even during the winter months. Many therefore risk having too low levels of vitamin D during large parts of the year.
Sunscreen protects – but also blocks vitamin D synthesis
The use of sunscreen creams has an important task, namely to protect the skin against the harmful effects of the sun's rays. At the same time, the process in which the sun's rays synthesize and create our natural stores of vitamin D in the skin is also blocked. What skin color you have also plays a role in how effective the absorption is. The darker the skin color, the less vitamin D is absorbed. Northerners with very fair skin like to put on a little extra to avoid the risk of getting red and burnt, which is absolutely right, but then we also miss out on vitamin D. Many choose instead to protect themselves with full-covering clothing or lie in the shade, which also means that we miss out on vitamin D from the sun.
Vitamin D in the diet
Unfortunately, vitamin D is not found in large quantities in the diet, and therefore, for example, certain dairy products are fortified with vitamin D. The vitamin is also found in smaller quantities in eggs and meat. Salmon, sardines, mackerel and other fatty fish are good sources of vitamin D. Some mushrooms such as chanterelles actually contain some vitamin D but in a more inactive form.
Affects important systems in the body
Vitamin D has the ability to influence several of the body's cell functions, which in turn affects our health in a number of different ways. Vitamin D has an important role in the absorption and utilization of calcium and phosphorus, for the nervous system and muscles to function normally, and it also contributes to a normally functioning immune system. Other parts of the body are also dependent on vitamin D such as the skeleton, teeth and it is needed for the cell division process.