Vitamin D helps regulate levels of calcium and phosphate in our bodies, keeping our bones, teeth and muscles healthy. In fact, it may be just as important as calcium for keeping bones strong and preventing osteoporosis. Older people who don’t get sufficient vitamin D may develop weaker muscles and be more prone to falls, which can increase their risk of fractures. But vitamin D has benefits beyond bone and muscle health – recent research suggests it can help reduce the risk of respiratory infections, including colds and flu. It may also protect against depression, cancers, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, autoimmune disease and other chronic diseases, but more research is needed as the evidence is not yet clear.
Signs of deficiency include: muscle weakness, bone tenderness or pain in the spine, shoulder, ribs or pelvis. In children, it can lead to rickets, skeletal deformities, anaemia and susceptibility to respiratory infections.