Older New Zealanders might remember receiving a daily dose of cod liver oil as children. But do you remember why? Cod liver oil is a rich source of vitamin D, and was considered an easy way of preventing rickets, a bone-softening condition causing bowed legs or knock knees in children.
Today, a low blood level of vitamin D may not be severe enough to cause rickets, but it may increase the risk of bone fractures due to its important role in bone health where it is essential for calcium absorption from food. Concern about vitamin D deficiency has re-emerged in New Zealand as a result of health messages to reduce sun exposure and encouragement to use ultraviolet (UV) sunscreens, reducing the skin’s ability to produce vitamin D.
Read more – The roles of vitamin D in health and disease – when will we stop counting?
Unlike any other nutrient, most vitamin D (up to 80%) is formed as a result of sunlight exposure on our skin. However, your body can’t make vitamin D if you’re sitting indoors by a sunny window because ultraviolet B (UVB) rays (the ones your body needs to make vitamin D) can’t get through the window glass. During summer, being outdoors before 11 am and after 4 pm should allow enough sunlight to be absorbed to meet your vitamin D needs. We still need to practice good sun protection (sunscreen, hats and coverage) during the summer months. In winter, longer periods are required, around 30 minutes per day, with those people living in the South Island of New Zealand needing more exposure because of the lower UV levels. For more info regarding Vitamin D and sensible sun exposure visit Health Navigator’s webpage
Vitamin D is also in oily fish, such as canned tuna and salmon, eggs, lean meat and dairy products. There are now margarines, milks and yoghurts fortified with vitamin D available in New Zealand.
The most recent national surveys showed about one in three New Zealand children had too little vitamin D in their blood; nearer a half of adults. Those at risk of vitamin D deficiency are:
Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about your vitamin D levels or if you have limited exposure to the sun.
Last modified: January 26, 2022
