Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin because our bodies make Vitamin D from exposure to sunlight. When sunlight hits our skin, the ultra- violet B (UVB) sun rays are used to make Vitamin D. Vitamin D can also be found in a small number of foods including; oily fish, liver, red meat and egg yolk. But we don’t get enough Vitamin D through diet alone and due to the latitude of Ireland and UK, sun exposure between April and October is the only time Vitamin D is produced in the body naturally.

Other factors which affect Vitamin D levels include: exposure to the sun, latitude, skin, pigmentation, use of sunscreen, obesity, cultural habits and lifestyle.

For these reasons, Vitamin D supplementation is important to ensure adequate levels to maintain our teeth, bones, muscles and immune system.