The reason why the use of vitamin D supplements is recommended from April to September is because during this period, the body does not get enough sunlight.
In the summer, the sun is strong enough for the body to produce a sufficient amount of vitamin D without the need for supplements. The body needs vitamin D «to maintain healthy bones, teeth and muscles,» says the NHS.
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Now, a study has established a link between vitamin D and the skin.
The study, conducted in 2012 and published in the journal Nutrientsfound: “A correlation between vitamin D levels and skin moisture content, people with lower vitamin D levels had lower average skin moisture.
“Topical cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) supplementation significantly increased measures of skin hydration and resulted in improvements in subjective clinical skin classification.
«Taken together, our findings suggest a relationship between vitamin D3 and stratum corneum hydration and further demonstrate the skin hydration benefit of vitamin D3 application.»
In summary, vitamin D is associated with a increased skin hydration and vitamin D3 is associated with less dry skin
While this study provides some insight into vitamin D and its impact on the study, it is important to note that the study in question is now 10 years old. Guidance on vitamin D and hydration may have been slightly updated since the study was conducted.
However, it does highlight the importance of getting enough vitamin D in a person’s diet.
The NHS says: “A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children and bone pain caused by a condition called osteomalacia in adults.
“The government advice is that everyone should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the fall and winter.”
Although it is important that a person is not deficient in vitamin D, it is also crucial that don’t overdose.
If a person consumes too much vitamin D over a long period of time, this can cause a condition known as hypercalcemiain which too much calcium builds up in the body.
In turn, this can weaken bones and damage the heart and kidneys.
During the summer it is impossible to overdose on vitamin D of the sun.
This is not to say that sitting in the sun for too long is harmless, it can increase the risk of skin damage, skin cancer, and cause heat stroke and dehydration.
In the meantime, The debate on the relationship of vitamin D with COVID-19 has been reopened.
In the early phases of the pandemic, it was wrongly assumed that vitamin D prevented the onset of serious COVID-related illnesses.
Now, a new study in Israel finds that those with vitamin D deficiency were more likely to develop a severe case of COVID-19 compared to those who had enough in their system.
Posted in PLOS One magazinethe study concluded: «Among hospitalized COVID-19 patients, vitamin D deficiency prior to infection was associated with increased disease severity and mortality.»
While this raises questions about vitamin D’s relationship to covid, it doesn’t mean the vitamin is a panacea when it comes to prevention.
More research on this link is needed before a more concrete conclusion can be drawn.
For more information on how to get enough vitamins, check with your GP or a dietitian.