Should you take vitamin D in summer too?

“Vitamin D only needs to be supplemented during the winter months.”

We start today's article with this theory. You can find out whether it is true or false here! But first, let's clarify what vitamin D exactly is and how the body absorbs it.

What is vitamin D?

For historical reasons, vitamin D is referred to as a fat-soluble vitamin, but it is actually an essential hormone precursor. This hormone precursor controls the production of other important hormones and can only be produced in conjunction with sunlight, more specifically UVB radiation. 

When UVB rays penetrate the top layer of skin, they form provitamin D3 (7-dehydrocholesterol) with the help of cholesterol. In the next step, the provitamin D3 is converted by the liver into 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 and finally by the kidneys into the hormonally active steroid hormone 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3. Since vitamin D3 is only converted into the bioactive steroid hormone during metabolism, it is called a prohormone. 

What is the problem with recording?

The biggest problem with the absorption of vitamin D is wearing long clothing, sunscreen, make-up and the wrong time of day. The UV index is best between 12 and 3 p.m. for absorbing vitamin D through the skin. At this time of day, most people are in their air-conditioned workplaces. Sunscreen also has a negative effect, because even with a sun protection factor of 8, hardly any more vitamin D is produced.

Considering that a life with a deficiency of the sunshine vitamin is associated with great health risks, I consider it to be absolutely negligent not to provide my body with sufficient nutrients. 

The best-known function of vitamin D is its involvement in bone metabolism, whereby it promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphate from the intestine and its incorporation into the bones. Vitamin D therefore plays a central role in bone mineralization. 

But many other metabolic processes, such as the formation of proteins, the control of genes and neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which are crucial for a healthy psyche, only function with vitamin D. 

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with many chronic and serious diseases. 

Which groups of people are particularly at risk of vitamin D deficiency?

• People with Mediterranean skin tone
• People wearing long clothing
• People with sunscreen or make-up
• Older people 
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women

What health consequences are associated with a vitamin D deficiency?

• General fatigue
• Bone and back pain
• depressions
• Sleep problems
• Performance drops
• poor skin condition
• diabetes
• Cardiovascular diseases
• asthma
• Periodontitis
• Cancer
• osteoporosis
• autism
• ADHD
• Susceptibility to infection

Whether vitamin D supplementation is worthwhile in summer can be answered with a clear YES, considering the function, the risk groups and the consequences. 

What should I pay attention to when taking vitamin D?

Vitamin D should always be taken in combination with vitamin K. Since vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium, taking it could also increase the amount of calcium absorbed. Vitamin K transports excess calcium from the blood into the bones so that it cannot be deposited on the walls of blood vessels or in the form of kidney stones. 

Since vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, taking it with a fat source offers the highest bioavailability. You can find this in the drop form from MANIA Concept, where high-quality MCT oil ensures optimal absorption. Make sure that you combine the biologically effective form D3 with the best form of vitamin K2 MK-7. This is the only form of vitamin K2 that can increase the vitamin K level in the blood eightfold! The vitamin D3K2 from MANIA Concept offers the perfect solution here, with the best bioavailability and high-quality branded raw materials.