04/06/2026
Vitamin D: there’s more to it than strong bones. ☀️🦴
Most people know vitamin D is important for bone health. Fewer realise that it also plays a major role in regulating inflammation, immune function and even chronic pain.
In fact, vitamin D is far more like a hormone than a traditional vitamin.
Why?
Because there’s a vitamin D receptor in virtually every cell of the body. When vitamin D binds to these receptors, it interacts with DNA and helps regulate the expression of hundreds of genes involved in inflammation, immunity, repair, and cellular function.
This is one reason why low vitamin D levels are often associated with:
• Persistent aches and pains
• Slower recovery
• Increased inflammation
• Reduced immune resilience
• Low mood and fatigue
So why are deficiencies so common?
In the UK, the sun is only strong enough for meaningful vitamin D production during the summer months and typically only between 11am and 3pm.
Even then:
• Sunscreen significantly reduces vitamin D production
• Most of us work indoors during those hours
• Many people cover their skin or spend little time outside
The reality is that very few people are regularly outside in the middle of the day with enough skin exposed to produce optimal amounts.
Some groups are particularly at risk of deficiency:
• Older adults, whose skin becomes less efficient at producing vitamin D
• People with darker skin, who require more sun exposure to make the same amount
• People carrying excess body fat, as vitamin D is fat-soluble and can become sequestered in fat tissue
That’s why I often encourage people to think about vitamin D as a year-round nutrient, not just a winter one.
Your body doesn't stop needing it when summer ends.
If you're dealing with chronic pain, fatigue, recurrent illness, or simply want to optimise your health, vitamin D is one of the most important nutrients worth checking. Sometimes a simple blood test can reveal a piece of the puzzle that’s been hiding in plain sight. ☀️🧠✨
