D is for very DESIRABLE
WOMAN'S WEEKLY|October 19, 2021
It’s time to top up your vitamin D. Here’s how to maintain levels of this vital nutrient throughout the winter
KAREN EVENNETT
D is for very DESIRABLE

Let the sunshine in

Despite its name, vitamin D is actually a hormone rather than a vitamin, explains Dr Shireen Kassam, a consultant haematologist and certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician. ‘It has receptors throughout the body and performs many roles – including gene regulation, which is why a deficiency increases your risk of many cancers, autoimmune diseases and infections.

‘Having enough vitamin D is also thought to improve brain development and function.

‘During summer, the sun’s UVB rays are strong enough to enable your body to make vitamin D – though you need to expose your arms, legs and back of neck (SPF-free) for 15 minutes a day if you’re fair-skinned, and 30 to 45 minutes a day if you have darker skin.

‘Your body stores the vitamin D that it makes – but its supplies decline between October and March, due to weaker sun rays. So, even with additional food sources, we should all take a daily 10mcg supplement through winter.

EASY AS 1,2,3…

When you’re choosing a supplement, always look for one containing vitamin D3, says nutritionist Dr Marilyn Glenville. ‘Vitamin D3 is 87% more effective in raising and maintaining vitamin D levels than

Be supplement savvy

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 19, 2021 من WOMAN'S WEEKLY.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 19, 2021 من WOMAN'S WEEKLY.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.