Vitamin D Boosts Our Immune System – But How Much is Enough?

Our bodies need vitamins and minerals now more than ever because of the threat of Covid-19, a highly contagious new strain of coronavirus that has claimed the lives of thousands. However, given the restrictions nowadays, it can be hard to get the necessary nutrients.

Because most of us are stuck in our houses, there is one particular vitamin that we are deprived of: vitamin D, which mainly comes from sunlight. We are ordered to stay home and only go out when absolutely needed, which means it became even harder to get the required intake.

Sunshine Vitamin

Health Food Manufacturers’ Association nutritionist and scientific adviser Michele Sadler explained that vitamin D, also called the sunshine vitamin, is necessary to maintain a healthy body. According to studies, it’s also good for your teeth and bones.

Plus, research have shown that vitamin D has a role in keeping your immune system in check, which is what we all need nowadays to fend ourselves from the coronavirus. In fact, it has impressive properties that boost your body’s resistance – so much so that the Public Health England retracted its previous suggestion and advised residents to take 10 micrograms of this very helpful vitamin while the global health threat is here.

Sharon McCutcheon/Unsplash — UVB doesn’t pass through glasses

The thing is, it will not work if you’re inside the house because sunshine doesn’t pass through glasses. Our body makes vitamin D whenever we get ultraviolet B radiation directly from sunlight exposure, which leaves us to ask, what else can we do to get the essential vitamin when we’re stuck in our houses?

Other Sources of Vitamin D

The thing is, there are only a few foods that are rich in vitamin D, so it is always challenging to source sufficient amounts of this from what we eat, the nutritionist said. That’s why you need to know which ones really pack the vitamin.

FotoHelin/Shutterstock — Vitamin D supplements are available in different forms

Red meat, liver, kidney, eggs, salmons, sardines, mackerel, fortified fat spreads, fortified breakfast cereals, and vitamin D2 enhanced mushrooms are your best options. Whenever possible, incorporate these into your diet to make sure you still get vitamin D.

Alora Griffiths/Unsplash — Take your exercise outside to absorb the sunlight

If you’re not big on the provided list of food, you can always take the easy route and opt for supplements instead. There are multitudes in the drug store, and the good news is, there are many types to choose from – liquids, drops, tablets, gummies, and capsules. The important thing is to make sure you meet the 10 micrograms recommendation of health experts.

The UK government also advised an exercise session per day and it is allowed to do this outside, so why not hit two birds with one stone by absorbing sunlight as you work out? This is an easy way to top up levels of vitamin D on your body, so take advantage of the situation.