To reduce skin cancer risk, Vitamin D deficient Aussies should supplement

Health pioneers BetterYou are advising those looking to boost their levels of the ‘sunshine vitamin’ to supplement orally as a safer alternative to lengthy UV exposure.

In a Guardian article, Australian authorities have released new advice on prolonged sun exposure amid concerns people are risking skin cancer in the belief they are boosting their vitamin D levels.

BetterYou who are at the forefront of research into vitamin D levels, are keen to educate about the importance of maintaining your levels. They aim to inform how much of this vital vitamin you should be taking, as dosage levels are still poorly understood.

Despite the sunny climate, a seasonal variation in vitamin D levels also occurs in Australia says the Nutrient Reference Value for Australia and New Zealand. Osteoporosis Australia's Professor Peter Ebeling confirms that ‘about a quarter of Australians have a vitamin D deficiency, which could lead to bone problems like fractures and osteoporosis.’

Much like the UK, at risk groups in Australia include pregnant women, babies and children under five, veiled women, the over 65s and those with darker skin pigmentation.

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.

BetterYou, recommends 1000IU (International Units) of vitamin D is received per 25kg of body weight. An adult living in the Northern Hemisphere requires between 2000-3000IU daily to maintain a healthy optimum level and during winter months this requires supplementation.

Unfortunately, modern indoor lifestyles, processed foods and the overuse of sun creams in both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere are resulting in a dramatic rise in vitamin D deficiency.

“By taking just one spray a day of one of our DLux oral sprays, vitamin D levels can be effectively managed and many health conditions and diseases associated with deficiency could be avoided.”

Andrew Thomas, founder and managing director at BetterYou.

There are a number of diseases related to Vitamin D deficiency, including Multiple Sclerosis, Type 2 Diabetes, bone diseases and over 17 internal cancers are believed to cost the UK taxpayer £29 billion annually – more than a quarter of the NHS budget.

Experts are agreed that a body with optimum vitamin D will be stronger, more flexible and better able to resist disease and infection.

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.

Dr Charles Heard, who lead the Cardiff University absorption trial, explains: “The ultra-fast uptake is due to the very absorbent tissue within the mouth and the close proximity of a rich vein network. In some cases it is close to that of IV or intramuscular injections.”