Health pioneers BetterYou have welcomed new guidance by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) highlighting that many adults in Britain have low levels of vitamin D and that some exposure to sunlight can help to build this up.
The health watchdog recommends that people expose their arms and legs to the sun for short periods in order to build up vitamin D, however, did not suggest a specific amount of time people should stay out.
National surveys suggest that around a fifth of adults and 8 to 24% of children may have low vitamin D status and that it is not possible to get enough vitamin D by sitting next to a closed sunny window, or from sunlight (the main natural source of vitamin D) between October and March in the UK. UVB radiation is required for the production of vitamin D and these rays cannot penetrate glass, cloud, light clothing or sun cream over 15SPF.
BetterYou are at the forefront of research into vitamin D levels and are keen to educate about the importance of maintaining your vitamin D levels. They aim to inform how much of this vital vitamin you should be taking, as dosage levels are still poorly understood.
In the UK, the Department of Health recommends all children aged six months to five years, those aged 65 and over, people who have low or no exposure to the sun and those with darker skin take a vitamin D supplement.
Professor Gillian Leng, director of health and social care at NICE, said:
People who cover up for cultural reasons, are housebound or otherwise confined indoors for long periods of time are all at higher risk of low vitamin D levels.
BetterYou’s DLux oral vitamin D spray range is listed in the NHS recommended product guide for vitamin D supplementation and comes in different strengths for people of all ages.
BetterYou recommends 1000IU (International Units) of vitamin D is supplemented per 25kg of body weight. An adult living in the Northern Hemisphere requires between 2000-3000IU daily to maintain a healthy level.
Andrew Thomas, founder and managing director at BetterYou, said:
Our modern indoor lifestyles, processed foods and the overuse of sun creams in the Northern Hemisphere are resulting in a dramatic rise in vitamin D deficiency, which can cause fatigue, aches and pains, and frequent infections.
Vitamin D deficiency can be easily corrected by supplementation and simple lifestyle changes. By taking just one spray a day of our DLux oral spray, you can ensure your vitamin D levels can be effectively managed.
Multiple clinical trials have found that oral vitamin sprays elevate serum vitamin D levels on average 50% faster than traditional tablets and capsules.
Researchers at Cardiff University, when testing BetterYou’s DLux vitamin D oral sprays, found that absorption within the mouth was far superior to the more traditional digestive route of tablets and capsules.
In addition, trials by both the National Technical University of Athens and the Swiss Research Centre Pharmabase found that vitamin D absorption via an oral spray was at least 50% faster and more effective than traditional tablets and capsules.
BetterYou has joined forces with Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust to provide a simple, affordable and accurate home testing kit for everyone to take control of their own vitamin D requirements. Testing is carried out by City Assays, who use liquid chromatography mass spectrometry to measure the Vitamin D in the blood. A clear interpretation of the vitamin D level is then sent to the customer.
Customers are offered supplementation advice, along with a complimentary DLux daily vitamin D oral spray to help raise levels to adequate amounts.
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