We all love a freebie, right? There are few nutrients that are available to us completely free.  Obtaining your nutrients from whole, natural sources is definitely the way forward.  Readily available, without financial cost, sunlight is an excellent source of Vitamin D.

What is Vitamin D?  Well, technically speaking it is a hormone. This means it creates a compound to activate a response elsewhere in the body. It is also one of the vital contributors (within a team of nutrients) responsible for optimal bone health.

Vitamin D can be obtained by regular, adequate sunlight exposure and is not reliant on dietary sources.  What is worrying though, is that despite sunlight availability, 31% of adults Australians have inadequate vitamin D levels. Over 50% of the 31% are women.

Vitamin D comes in different forms and can be referred to by different names. Ergocalciferol (Vitamin D₂ or inactive Vitamin D) and cholecalciferol (Vitamin D₃ or activated Vitamin D). Vitamin D is produced on the skin in the inactive form of Ergocalciferol and efficient conversion to cholecalciferol is reliant on good liver and kidney health. Once in the liver, Vitamin D is converted to calcidiol. When bone mineralisation is required, calcidiol is activated to calcitriol by the kidneys. This will raise blood calcium and phosphorus through the digestive track, releasing calcium from bone to the blood whilst inhibiting kidney’s calcium release.

This means that absorption and conversation of inactive Vitamin D to active vitamin D, are dependent on gut health, healthy liver and kidney function, as well as other nutrient availability.

The fact is, our body systems operate in harmony, working wholistically and synergistically.

This is why, when you book in with me, I will treat you compassionately and as the amazing whole person that you are.  You are unique. Your health journey is unique. Together, we will formulate a manageable plan to work on your health goals, your priorities and the outcomes you uniquely desire.

So remember, your daily dose of Vitamin D is completely free.  Enjoy the sunlight.  Your bones and general health will thank you for it.

Emma Manning Clinical Nutritionist.

Nutritional Consultations telehealth appointments (Health Fund Rebates available depending on your fund’s policy) and Bio Energetic Synchronisation Technique face to face sessions can be booked through emailing emmavmanning@live.com or contacting me directly on 0422 246231.

References

Nowson, C. A., McGrath, J. J., Ebeling, P. R., Halkerwal, A., Daly, R. M., Sanders, K. M., Selbel, M. J., & Mason, R. S. (2012). Vitamin D and health in adults in Australia and New Zealand: a position statement. Medical Journal of Australia, 196(11), 1-7. Https://doi.org/10.5694/mja11.10301

Scott, D., Mousa, A., Naderpoor, N., De Courten, M., Scragg, R., & De Courten, B. (2019). Vitamin D supplementation improves waist-to-hip ratio and fasting blood glucose in vitamin D deficient, overweight or obese Asians: A pilot secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 186, 136-141. Http//doi.org/10.1016/j.jsbmb.2018.10.006

Vaes, A., Brouwer-Brolsma, E., Van der Zwaluw, N., Van Wijngaarden, J., Berendsen, A., Van Schoor, N., & De Groot, L. (2017). Food sources of vitamin D and their association with 25-hydroxyvitamin d status in Dutch older adults. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 173, 228-234. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsbmb.2016.10.004.

Whitney, E., Rolfes, S. R., Crowe, T., Cameron-Smith, D., & Walsh, A. (2011). Understanding Nutrition: Australia and New Zealand (1^st Ed.). Melbourne, Australia: Cengage Learning.