Vitamin D is essential for our body. Not only is vitamin D necessary for children for the development of strong bones and teeth, but we need vitamin D throughout our lives to keep our bones strong. Vitamin D enables us to absorb calcium and phosphorus from food. In addition, vitamin D plays a role in the proper functioning of muscles and the maintenance of the immune system in both children and adults.
WHERE DO THE VITAMINS FOR OUR CHILDREN AND OURSELVES COME FROM?
A large part (approximately 90%) of our vitamin D is produced by our skin itself (under the influence of sunlight). Vitamin D is therefore also called the sunshine vitamin. We obtain only 10% from food. Where can we find vitamin D? Few foods contain vitamin D. Fatty fish (herring, mackerel, salmon, and sardines), organ meat (liver (pâté)), some types of fish oil , and egg yolks contain vitamin D.
So, whether you get enough vitamin D depends on what you eat, but especially on how much time you spend in the sun. Sunlight is, after all, the most important way to build up vitamin D. White Europeans are all descended from hunter-gatherers in Africa. Africans ate differently and also spent much more time in the sun, partly because it shines longer around the equator. When they migrated north, their skin gradually became lighter over time in order to still be able to produce sufficient vitamin D.
This is precisely the reason why people with tanned or dark skin need extra vitamin D. The skin produces vitamin D less easily. Meanwhile, research published in the Dutch Journal of Medicine shows that 60% of all Dutch people could benefit from extra vitamin D in the winter.
It is becoming increasingly challenging to absorb enough sunlight and produce sufficient vitamin D with more children playing indoors, office jobs or night shifts, or by applying too much sunscreen.
Furthermore, fatty fish with their vitamin D are not exactly among children's favorites, while fish sticks unfortunately contain hardly any vitamin D (and Omega-3 ).
From May through September, the sun's radiation is strong enough to produce sufficient vitamin D in the skin if you are outside for at least half an hour between 11:00 and 15:00.
In the months of October through April, the sun's radiation is not strong enough, and you may need a supplement. Sunscreen blocks the absorption of UV radiation.
It may be wise to first be in the sun for 30 minutes without sunscreen.
Seniors aged 70 and older should even take 20 mcg of vitamin D daily.
It is becoming increasingly challenging to get enough sunlight and produce enough vitamin D with more children playing indoors and office jobs.
Furthermore, fatty fish with their vitamin D are not exactly among children's favorites, while fish sticks unfortunately contain hardly any vitamin D (and Omega-3).
The older you get, the less able you are to produce vitamin D yourself due to thinner skin.
VITAMIN D IN " ARCTIC BLUE " PRODUCTS
In addition to the standard omega-3 fatty acids, a number of Arctic Blue products also contain added vitamin D. We believe this is important because many people have an increased need for vitamin D, including children, teenagers, older adults, and adults who spend little time outdoors or who have a tan or dark complexion.
The combination of Omega-3 and vitamin D is very logical because vitamin D is fat-soluble and is optimally absorbed in fatty stomach contents. Taking it during or after a meal is therefore recommended.
The daily dose is always according to the table from the Netherlands Nutrition Centre below and is therefore 10 mcg.
We always use the most easily absorbed form of vitamin D, namely D3 (cholecalciferol). Vitamin D is optimally absorbed by the intestines when some fat or oil is present. Because the vitamin D is contained in Arctic Blue products (omega-3 oil) and is taken during or after a meal, the body is able to absorb the vitamin D optimally.
| Group | Age group | Who (*) | Extra vitamin D (mcg) |
| Children | 0-3 years | everyone | 10 |
| Girls and | if you rarely go outside and/or a | ||
| women | 4-49 years | have a tanned or dark skin color | 10 |
| 50-69 years | everyone | 10 | |
| 70 years and older | everyone | 20 | |
| Pregnant women | everyone | 10 | |
| Boys and | if you rarely go outside and/or a | ||
| men | 4-69 years | have a tanned or dark skin color | 10 |
| 70 years and older | everyone | 20 | |
| little time spent outdoors: less than 15 minutes per day | |||
View the fish oil especially for children here.
Too Much Vitamin D
In practice, healthy people almost never have too much vitamin D. It can only happen if someone takes more than 100 mcg per day for a long period of time. That is 10 times the daily dose found in the Arctic Blue products.
Spending a lot of time in the sun also poses no risk of vitamin D excess. This is because the skin regulates production in that case.
If a low vitamin D status (lower than 80 nml/l) has been diagnosed by a general practitioner or therapist, it may be necessary to take a higher daily dose (than 10 mcg per day) for several months.
In some cases, a general practitioner may even recommend vitamin D injections. An optimal vitamin D status is between 80 and 150 nml/l.
