On the Coast – Families Issue 96 I October/November 2019 | Page 20

Vit D deficiency
in this sunny country,
how can it be?
by Diana Arundell
T
he prevalence of vitamin
D deficiency in our sunny
country may be hard to
believe, however it is not
only a reality but it’s a
growing issue putting many
Australians at risk of
developing serious health
conditions.
Some of the conditions associated
with vitamin D deficiency include
increased risk of breast or bowel cancer,
cardiovascular disease, allergies, lowered
immunity, autoimmune disease and
exacerbation of osteoporosis.
There are two main forms of
vitamin D and these are vitamin
D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3
(cholecalciferol). D2 can be found in
food fortified with vitamin D and
cheaper supplements, whereas D3 is
found in food derived from animal
products, high quality fish oil and
supplements. Vitamin D3 is the better
form of vitamin D as it increases blood
concentration of vitamin D more than
the less effective D2 version. Sunshine
and D3 supplementation increase levels
of Vitamin D in the body significantly
more than dietary sources. These days
many Australians spend much more
time indoors (working in offices, relaxing
in front of screens, fear of skin cancer)
than we ever used to and when we
do go outside, we slip, slop and slap
so that our skin is protected from any
sun exposure as well as any vitamin D
absorption. Sunshine needs to hit the
skin directly, without sunscreen and not
through a glass window, for the body to
manufacture vitamin D effectively. We
need 15-20 mins of direct sunlight on our
skin most days to maintain optimal levels
of vitamin D.
So how does sunshine make vitamin D?
Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays stimulate vitamin
D precursors in the body to make an
inactive form of vitamin D that is then
activated via liver and kidney mechanisms.
The activated form of vitamin D then
attaches to vitamin D receptors located in
many organs and tissues of the body and
begins its involvement in various health
promoting pathways.
Much of the research about the
protective mechanisms of vitamin D uses
minimum blood levels of 80nmol/L so
this is the minimum level to aim for in
blood tests. It’s also important to consider
the time of the year that the vitamin D
level is tested, as it’s most likely to be
naturally higher in the warmer months
when we are spending more time out
doors and likely to be receiving more
sunlight. Vitamin D levels are naturally
going to drop during the winter months
as we spend more time indoors and
Ignite your
child’s passion
for sport and
exercise
20
KI DZ O N T H E C OA ST
We are Australia’s leading sport
program for 1.5–6 year olds!
• Over 50 locations across NSW
• Small class sizes
• FREE trial available
Franchise opportunities available
readysteadygokids.com.au
1300 766 892