The sun is our most important source of vitamin D: 80 percent of vitamin D is covered by the body’s own vitamin D synthesis with the help of the sun. The intake through food is 20 percent and is therefore very low.
But especially in northern regions and in connection with the modern lifestyle, in the course of which the majority of people spend their time indoors in winter, the vitamin D supply is critical.
The consequences of a vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D prevents many chronic diseases and is essential for a functioning body Immune system. A vitamin D deficiency increases the susceptibility to infections and the risk of serious complications.
A deficiency that recurs annually in the winter months presumably increases the risk of infections, autoimmune diseases, dementia and cardiovascular diseases, among other things.
Reasons for a vitamin D deficiency
Even if the sun shines for a longer period of time in the winter months and we can enjoy mild temperatures, as was the case last time in February, the sun’s rays cannot stimulate sufficient endogenous vitamin D production in our latitudes.
The reason: the angle of incidence of the sun’s rays is too flat between mid-October and the end of March. Because the flatter the angle of the sun’s rays, the longer their path through the ozone layer.
A large part of the UV radiation is absorbed and thus lost to us.
‘Vitamind.net’ states as a guideline: There is no vitamin D production as soon as the shadow exceeds the body size. This corresponds to a position of the sun that is lower than around 45 degrees. If this is the case, no vitamin D is produced by the body.
Regular controll
In the months between the end of March and mid-October, the vitamin D level corresponds to the normal values for most people, but many suffer from a deficiency again in winter.
Experts therefore recommend having your family doctor or pharmacy check your vitamin D levels regularly during this time and, if necessary, having the appropriate preparations prescribed for you.
In this way you can keep your vitamin D level constant during the winter months and compensate for a deficiency – until spring arrives again.
Many experts are also of the opinion that supplementing with vitamin D in winter is one of the most sensible dietary supplements and makes an important contribution to health.
