Can you get vitamin D from food?

Vitamin D from Food

Can you get vitamin D from food? It is well known for its role in skeletal health. A deficiency is associated with rickets and in the UK has been increasing in prevalence. However, it has a much wider role in human physiology than bone health alone. It is important for muscular, cardiovascular, and metabolic health as well as the functioning of the nervous system and immunity. 

Vitamin D receptors are expressed by most immune cells and are involved in not only defending against infection but also decreasing inflammation. This vitamin’s relationship with acute respiratory infection is currently of particular interest but the relationship is nothing new. Studies going back to 2009 show an inverse relationship between vitamin D blood levels and upper respiratory tract infections. 

We are able to make vitamin D when our skin is exposed to sunlight. However, this can become a challenge for many reasons, such as; living in the northern hemisphere, having darker skin, being of older age, having suboptimal digestive function or even suboptimal magnesium levels.

So are we able to obtain vitamin D from food to help us optimise our levels?

Vitamin D is fat-soluble and is found in fatty animal products particularly fish; fatty fish like salmon, sardines and herring. The actual quantity within food will vary depending upon the animal’s access to UVB light and also the vitamin D content of feed. 

Wild salmon is reported to contain around 50% more of the vitamin than farmed salmon. Comparable data is not readily available for meat and poultry partly due to the wide variation in levels between different species, geographical location and feed. 

Humans synthesise vitamin D in the skin via the conversion of de-hydrocholesterol using UVB rays. A similar action occurs in mushrooms. Mushrooms contain cholesterol in their cell walls and when exposed to UVB rays are also able to produce vitamin D. Some mushrooms have been exposed to additional UVB rays by food producers and are labelled as ‘high in vitamin D’. However, it should be remembered that 100g of these would provide approximately 200IU (that’s the unit of measurement we use  – 200IU is also equal to 5mcg). Compare that 200IU to a serving of wild Atlantic salmon that could provide nearly 1500IU. 

Although the daily intake requirement given by governments is in the region of 400IU for adults this is based on bone and skeletal health and not for optimal overall health. Researchers suggest daily amounts of around 4000IU depending upon personal circumstances. 

So the overall message is yes, you can obtain vitamin D from food although the sources are limited. The highest levels are found in oily fish. Light treated mushrooms can also be an additional source although levels are relatively low. Depending upon your personal circumstances such as geographical location and how much time you spend outdoors, it is unlikely that you will obtain sufficient levels from sun exposure alone. Including vitamin D foods within your diet as well as considering supplementation can help ensure your levels remain optimal.

In order to monitor your vitamin D levels it is recommended to test them every 4-6 months, particularly if supplementing. Finger prick tests can easily be obtained, returned to laboratories via post and results reported to you online. You are then able to assess whether you are obtaining sufficient vitamin D from food and sunlight and adjust supplementation as appropriate. Testing is widely available but here are a few suggestions;

Better You  

Vitamin D Test 

Green Vits

Medichecks

Cerascreen

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