The Vitamin D Revolution

Shutterstock219800191 Vit D

Recent ground-breaking research suggesting Vitamin D is the wonder supplement we have all been looking for has made for a handful of headlines in the news recently, making us all wonder… Am I getting enough Vitamin D? 

With headlines including ‘Vitamin D produces amazing improvements’ Vitamin D, the wonder vitamin’, I want to understand what it is that makes Vitamin D so special and the certain benefits scientists are claiming the Vitamin has.

Until not too long ago, the lack of Vitamin D was only related with childhood bone disease and rickets, but that has quickly changed over the past year and doctors, scientists and the public are now learning that we have underestimated ‘The Sunshine Vitamin’ for far too long.

Interestingly, a lack of Vitamin D is now being linked with 17 types of cancers including breast, colon and prostate.a five-year study by the University of Leeds found that a daily dose of Vitamin D3 improved the heart function in people with chronic heart failure. The study involved 160 patients from Leeds who were being treated for heart failure using proven medications that included beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors and pacemakers.

Although these studies are relatively new, there has always been a handful of proven benefits associated with this  vitamin that may have been overlooked. For example, it naturally boosts the immune system, aids in calcium absorption, improves bone health (including teeth) and increases energy levels and not to mention reducing levels of depression.

So, what does this mean for the healthcare industry? If further studies continue to suggest a link between Vitamin D and cancer prevention, it is likely that the UK’s supplements market will  see a boost. Who knows what other breakthroughs in vitamin benefits are round the corner?