Roles in the Body
The main function of Vitamin D is to ensure that calcium is absorbed into the bones. Without sufficient Vitamin D, children can develop a condition called rickets while adults can suffer a softening of bones.
Vitamin D has been associated with numerous other conditions and a synthetic formulation is useful in the treatment of psoriasis .
How can I meet my vitamin D needs?
If you live in a sunny climate, it's easy to get enough Vitamin D, though it's a bit harder in a foggy country like Ireland. To make sure that you are getting enough vitamin D, make sure that you drink a glass of fortified milk daily and try to eat regular portions of other vitamin D containing foods.
Food sources include:
- Fortified milk and margarine
- Butter
- Oily fish such as sardines, mackerel and herring
- Liver
- Egg yolk breakfast cereal,
- Some breads are also fortified with Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency is not that common in young people in Ireland, as even minimum exposure to the sun can help maintain sufficient levels. However, people who cover up entirely (e.g. some Muslim women),
people who live in very smoggy places, older people or people who are housebound can be at risk, so it's important to make sure that they are getting Vitamin D in their food.
