Sunny Sun Sun

Vitamin D and lack of it has been a big concern of mine for a long time. It comes from the sun and synthesises in our skin to then be processed in our liver. It aids Calcium assisting bone density and bone structure. But apparently, we here in Australia are starting to have proportions of deficiency especially in children and older people because of our avoidance of the sun! Too much slip, slop, slapping so to speak.

The major benefit of Vitamin D is bone health, it helps our bones stay strong and stable holding us up and enabling us to move but it is also known to help aid and support our immune system, studies indicate higher levels of Vitamin D in our blood supply can help ward off the common cold in winter, help prevent cancers and also help our moods.

Food sources include fatty fishes such as mackerel, sardines and tuna also eggs are a great source as is Cod liver oil. The skin of fish and chicken also has decent supplies of Vitamin D - but we are encouraged not to eat this because of the high fat content, let yourself go and enjoy some flavour in your food.

Sun is a great source of Vitamin D but again over the years we have been encouraged not to go out in it. Now I am certainly not saying to go out and bake in it everyday for hours at a time but we need some sun, preferrably 20 mins a day, so get out there and enjoy that summer sun.

UK Doctors advise of the suns benefits