Are you getting enough of it? We’re not talking about milk or Zzzzzz’s, we’re talking about vitamin D, of course!

Vitamin D, also widely known as the sunshine vitamin, is a key player in keeping your body healthy. Its main role is to promote the absorption of calcium, making it important for building and maintaining your bones. The sunshine vitamin also supports the immune system, fights inflammation, maintains joint and muscle strength, and may even help regulate mood, decreasing the risk of depression.

As vitamin D is an essential nutrient that helps regulate important activities in the body, it’s essential to make sure you’re getting enough all year round!

One of the ways our bodies produce vitamin D is through exposure to sunshine. But as a result of the pandemic and working from home, it has led many of us to spend less time out in the sunshine than we would like. So, how do you know if you’re getting enough vitamin D?

Symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency can vary from person to person, and often cause no symptoms at all – at first. The signs are usually subtle, but here are 5 main signs that you can look out for…

You may experience bone aches

Vitamin D helps regulate calcium and phosphate levels in the body, two essential minerals for maintaining strong and healthy bones. If you’re deficient in vitamin D, it can have a direct impact on your bone health, and you may go on to experience bone or joint pain. Aches and stiffness, especially first thing in the morning, is definitely a sign to look out for.

You’re losing your hair

When there isn’t enough vitamin D in your system, new hair growth can be stunted. While there are more common causes of hair loss, such as genetics, hormones and major lifemy changes, research shows that low vitamin D levels can also be associated with hair loss, specifically, alopecia.

You may be feeling more tired

Low levels of vitamin D can zap your energy levels, leaving you feeling rather sluggish. Common symptoms of a deficiency include fatigue and feeling excessively tired throughout the day, even if you get plenty of sleep.

Your scalp is sweatier than usual

You normally sweat when your core body temperature rises, and most of the time this isn’t a problem. But excessive head sweating, especially on your scalp, can be an early sign of a vitamin D deficiency.

You’re frequently catching colds

Vitamin D is an important part of the immune system, and getting enough vitamin D is essential for a strong and healthy immune system. If you find yourself getting ill or catching infections more often, it may be down to low levels of vitamin D.

When it comes to vitamin D intake, striking a good balance between getting sunshine, eating vitamin D-rich foods, and supplementing with a high-quality vitamin D3 supplement is essential. That’s why I recommend including our Vitamin D3 formula - it’s ideal for those looking to support their vitamin D intake all year round.

Riya Lakhani ANutr is a registered nutritionist and health writer with a special interest in plant-based nutrition. She has completed a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Human Nutrition, and has developed a passion for writing about all things plant-based.