Boosting your immune system
At this time of the year with all the colds and flu around, it’s good to boost your immune system. Firstly I would encourage you to stay hydrated (at least 2 litres of water a day). A great natural way to boost your immune system is Irwin’s Pharmacy Vitamin D.
Vitamin D
Sometimes called the “sunshine vitamin” because it’s produced in your skin in response to sunlight. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin in a family of compounds that includes vitamins D1, D2, and D3. It can affect as many as 2,000 genes in the body.
Uses and Benefits
Vitamin D has several important functions. Perhaps the most vital are regulating the absorption of calcium and phosphorous, and facilitating normal immune system function. Getting a sufficient amount of the vitamin is important for normal growth and development of bones and teeth, as well as improved resistance against certain diseases.
If your body doesn’t get enough vitamin D, you’re at risk of developing bone abnormalities such as osteomalacia (soft bones) or osteoporosis (fragile bones).
How Do You Get It?
Your body produces vitamin D naturally through direct exposure to sunlight. A little can go a long way: just 10 minutes a day of mid-day sun exposure is plenty, especially if you’re fair-skinned.
Besides getting vitamin D through sunlight, you can also get it through certain foods and supplements.
Beware of “D-ficiency”
Many lifestyle and environmental factors can affect your ability to get sufficient amounts of this vitamin through the sun alone. These factors include:
- pollution
- use of sunscreen
- spending more time indoors
- working longer hours in offices
- living in big cities where buildings block sunlight
These factors contribute to vitamin D deficiency in an increasing number of people. That’s why it’s important to get some of your vitamin D from sources besides sunlight.
Food Sources of D
Although few foods contain vitamin D naturally, some foods are fortified with it, which means that the vitamin is added to the food. Foods that contain vitamin D include:
- salmon
- sardines
- egg yolk
- shrimp
- milk (fortified)
- cereal (fortified)
- yogurt (fortified)
- orange juice (fortified)
It can be hard to get enough vitamin D each day through sun exposure and food alone, so taking Irwin’s Pharmacy Vitamin D supplement can help or else talk to one of our consultants at Irwin’s Pharmacy for more information and advice.
.