Vitamin D update: Why January is a good time to consider your vitamin D levels

January can be a time of mixed emotions. On the one hand it is a fresh start which can bring optimism and a chance to focus on our health, on the other hand it is often associated with the January blues, with the festivities of Christmas over but a long winter still ahead. Many people focus on dietary changes during this time and choose to join in with “Veganuary”, opting for a vegan diet during the month. Increasing plant-based foods is a good way to support health, however certain nutrients can be hard to obtain from a vegan diet, including vitamin D.

In addition, the body’s own vitamin D production relies on exposure to sunlight which is lacking at this time of year. Therefore, it is a relevant time to consider vitamin D status and its importance.

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Vitamin D deficiency – who is at risk?

Vitamin D is considered to be deficient if levels are below 25nmol/l however optimum levels are greater than 75nmol/L^1–3. Some researchers suggest a higher optimal range – Grassroots Health, a not for profit public health research organisation with a panel of 48 senior vitamin D researchers from around the world, says that “vitamin D research shows that blood levels in the range 40-60 ng/ml (100-150 nmol/L) are safe, effective and will lower overall disease incidence and health care costs.” ⁴

• Optimal – greater than 100 with a safe upper limit of 220 nmol/L⁴
• Sufficient – 50-100 nmol/L
• Insufficient – 25-50 nmol/L
• Deficient – less than 25 nmol/L

NB: Serum vitamin D levels may be described using either ng/ml or nmol/L. To convert ng/ml to nmol/L multiply by 2.5; conversely to convert nmol/L to ng/ml divide by 2.5. For example 100 nmol/L = 40 ng/ml.

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition’s (SACN) report in 2016 stated that around 30-40% of the population had a plasma 25(OH)D (vitamin D3)  concentration < 25 nmol/L in winter compared to 2-13% in summer (the NHS considers insufficiency to be <50nmol/L). The most at risk population were institutionalised adults who were unable to build up vitamin D reserves during the summer months due to lack of sunlight exposure¹. Therefore, it is important to consider vitamin D status particularly in the elderly as skin is less able to manufacture vitamin D as we age and in addition those who may be house bound or in a care home or hospital.

Other studies have shown that the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in vegans was higher than in omnivores (73% versus 46%), therefore vitamin D status should be considered in those following a vegan diet⁵.

Other populations who are at risk include^6-7:

• People with dark skin, as the ability to absorb UV light is reduced with darker skin
• Obese people, it has been shown that obesity can increase vitamin D deficiency
• People who have reduced exposure to UV light i.e. those who work indoors all of the time, children who do not play outside and people who cover-up or use high factor sunscreen etc
• Children under 5 years of age

Sources of vitamin D2 v D3

When the skin is exposed to UVB radiation (from sunlight) a molecule known as 7-dehydrocholesterol (derived from cholesterol) is converted to cholecalciferol, also known as D3. Cholecalciferol can also be obtained from the diet or by supplementation (D3). Cholecalciferol travels to the liver where it is converted to 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD). The kidney then converts 25OHD to 1,25-hydroxyvitamin D (1,25OHD), also known as calcitriol the active form of vitamin D, which possesses hormonal properties and regulates calcium and phosphate balance.

Cholecalciferol or D3 can be obtained directly without the need for UVB radiation either from the diet (sources oily fish, eggs and butter) or via supplementation. Vitamin D3 supplements are generally from animal sources although vegan sources of D3 can be obtained from lichens.

Another plant based form of vitamin D, known as ergocalciferol or D2, can also be obtained from the diet (rich food sources are mushrooms, fortified soya milk and almond milk) or via supplementation. Vitamin D2 can also be converted by the liver to 25-hydroxyvitamin D and then to 1, 25-hydroxyvitamin D by the kidneys^6,7.

There has been some debate as to whether there is a difference between supplementing vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) or Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol). It appears that vitamin D3 is more effective at increasing levels of 25OHD and therefore calcitriol. Research has also shown that higher serum levels of D2 are associated with lower levels of D3 and therefore a high intake of D2 may reduce availability of D3 and potentially calcitriol⁷. Other studies have concluded that D3 is more appropriate to sustain adequate 25OHD levels than D2, therefore it is recommended to obtain vitamin D in the form of D3⁹.

Vitamin D functions and Seasonal Affective Disorder

Vitamin D is the most highly researched nutrient – with a search on “vitamin D” returning over 80,000 hits on PubMed. Although research is often small and inconclusive, it is widely believed that vitamin D deficiency plays a significant role in the onset of many conditions.

Seasonal affective disorder or SAD is a type of recurring major depression with a seasonal pattern. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the criteria for SAD includes having depression that begins and ends during a specific season every year (with full remittance during other seasons), for at least two years and having more seasons of depression than seasons without depression a long period of time . Seasonal pattern disorders occur most frequently in winter although they can also occur in summer¹⁰.

A systematic review and meta-analysis concluded that low levels of vitamin D are associated with depression. Many people with SAD have insufficient or deficient levels of vitamin D and research investigating this association suggests that supplementing vitamin D may improve their symptoms¹⁰.

Do we need to supplement vitamin D?

SACN recommends all members of the population should obtain:

• “a reference nutrient intake (RNI) of 10 micrograms of vitamin D per day, throughout the year, for everyone in the general population aged 4 years and older
• an RNI of 10 micrograms of vitamin D per day for pregnant and lactating women and population groups at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency
• a ‘safe intake’ of 8.5 to 10 micrograms per day for all infants from birth to 1 year of age
• a ‘safe intake’ of 10 micrograms per day for children aged 1 to 4 years”

However, those at risk of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency or who know they are vitamin D deficient may need to increase their intake further¹.

Maintenance – in order to support general wellness over the winter months, we recommend a good quality multivitamin and mineral which includes 30ug vitamin D3. However the amount of vitamin D required for individuals to reach optimum levels is specific to them. Grassroots have a vitamin D calculator on their website which gives an indication of how much (i.e. dose) and how long to supplement with vitamin D based on the results of blood tests https://www.grassrootshealth.net/project/dcalculator/

Vitamin D deficiency – if tests have demonstrated vitamin D levels are deficient a higher dose of vitamin D should be considered (e.g 4000IU) especially over the winter months to help restore adequate vitamin D levels. High dose vitamin D3 should be taken alongside vitamin K2, to support calcium homeostasis (by directing calcium into bone away from arteries)⁶. Vitamin D3 levels should be tested after 3-6 months, reducing dose once optimal levels are achieved.

Other ways to support vitamin D levels

Food sources¹¹

D3: oily fish, eggs, butter

D2: Mushrooms, soya and almond milk

Sun exposure

A great way to obtain vitamin D is via exposure to UVB light. This is difficult through the winter months (particularly October to March) however during the summer months it is a good idea to get appropriate levels of sun exposure. To obtain vitamin D from the sun you need to expose your face, legs and forearms to sunlight (between 10am and 2pm) for ten minutes without sun protection on as many days as possible through the summer. Ensuring, though, that the skin does not burn or redden¹².

Vitamin D contributes to:

• The absorption and utilisation of calcium and phosphorus
• Normal blood calcium levels
• The maintenance of bones and teeth
• The maintenance of normal muscle function
• The normal function of the immune system
• Vitamin D has a role in the process of cell division
• Vitamin D is needed for normal growth and development of bone in children
• Vitamin D helps to reduce the risk of falling associated with postural instability and muscle weakness. Falling is a risk factor for bone fractures among men and women 60 years of age and older

References

1. Vitamin D and Health 2016 Ii.; 2016. https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/scientific-advisory-committee-on-nutrition. Accessed December 3, 2019.
2. New advice on vitamin D – British Nutrition Foundation. https://www.nutrition.org.uk/nutritioninthenews/new-reports/983-newvitamind.html?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=2fa3d847d00598101ecd8713a2e127506cdfb39b-1575369996-0-AYCshmmhlGi3_-BBNCDADdGOVTtJtO5YKYx2-W8mSoWeDzMVNU43q6jpgFO3X5TFNoQ1UHi2Tk-eV5f8Hv2LxTYLS5DQP-8B964A7sjPfSO7IJxJzfwruqkChQSucQOrzXUWC3b0cK73Lkh1AJ_3fUBTtVsxzsEknWJ8MabXg6P2Ysxw5TAfvW4FfjNZ9cen1rtoqtS6pLYFuyQfTJfQBh-K2iMKMunAZqj528LKBe3E4msQ6GSZFHPzrmtsL9NqVOUFMYR2sDVf3wZI8ZvbtZkJ4u2AGDzomjHVitXz9hbWi2433_9r8NO6bcx9B2OwLn2XnGsyNT21TBli1dmR9aScIWopzsVOAZU1X1mp_xsIf3XaqyBpiqUZuaYXIW9mqbkq6bwG04_vJEiDmjKoCgI. Accessed December 3, 2019.
3. Scientific Opinion on the Tolerable Upper Intake Level of vitamin D. EFSA J. 2012;10(7). doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2012.2813
4. www.grassroots.net
5. Ho-Pham LT, Vu BQ, Lai TQ, Nguyen ND, Nguyen T V. Vegetarianism, bone loss, fracture and vitamin D: A longitudinal study in Asian vegans and non-vegans. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2012;66(1):75-82. doi:10.1038/ejcn.2011.131
6. Murray JPM. Textbook of Natural Medicine. 4th Ed.; 2013.
7. Bland J et al. Textbook of Functional Medicine.; 2008.
8. Swanson CM, Nielson CM, Shrestha S, et al. Higher 25(OH)D2 is associated with lower 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014;99(8):2736-2744. doi:10.1210/jc.2014-1069
9. Oliveri B, Mastaglia SR, Brito GM, et al. Vitamin D3 seems more appropriate than D2 to sustain adequate levels of 25OHD: A pharmacokinetic approach. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2015;69(6):697-702. doi:10.1038/ejcn.2015.16
10. Melrose S. Seasonal Affective Disorder: An Overview of Assessment and Treatment Approaches. Depress Res Treat. 2015;2015. doi:10.1155/2015/178564
11. Oseiki H. The Nutrient Bible. 8th Ed. Bio Concepts Publishing Australia.; 2009.
12. Piotrowska A, Wierzbicka J, Żmijewski MA. Vitamin D in the skin physiology and pathology. doi:10.18388/abp.2015_1104

If you have questions regarding the topics that have been raised, or any other health matters, please do contact me (Helen) by phone or email at any time.

helen@cytoplan.co.uk, 01684 310099

Helen Drake and the Cytoplan Editorial Team

Last updated on 23rd August 2022 by cytoffice