Vitamin D and sunshine

Vitamin D plays a vital role in the modulation of cell growth, immune function and reduction of inflammation.

It is commonly believed that living in a sunny country provides enough exposure to the sun on the skin for our vitamin D requirements. The sunshine converts precursors of vitamin D into available vitamin D, but for this to happen we need sufficient vitamin D in our diet to start with.

Dairy products are pasteurised and homogenised, and most vitamin D is destroyed in the process. Other sources in our diet would be cod liver oil, herring, eggs, mussels, oysters, salmon and soy milk.

We should supplement breastfed babies with a good multivitamin containing vitamin D from 6 weeks and formula fed babies from 6 months so chat to your doctor for a recommendation.