New report highlights our need for vitamin D

e Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has published a report on vitamin D recommendations for people aged between ve and 65 years and how, in addition to food sources, vitamin D supplements are recommended for everyone, in particular teenagers, pregnant women and people of dark-skinned ethnicity who are at highest risk of vitamin D de ciency.

Although vitamin D de - ciency has been linked with higher risk of respiratory infections, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, in ammatory disorders, certain cancers and infectious diseases including COVID-19, this is not proven. e publication describes foods that help to meet vitamin D requirements, including foods naturally rich in vitamin D (such as oily sh, meats, and eggs), and vitamin D-forti ed foods. How inadvertent sunlight exposure during summer contributes to vitamin D is explained. It also describes why children and adults, who get this sunlight exposure during summer, should consider taking a daily supplement of vitamin D as follows:

• For healthy children (5-11 years) a daily vitamin D supplement containing 10 µg (400 IU) should be taken:

– during extended winter (end of October to March) for those of fair-skinned ethnicity – throughout the full year for those of darker-skinned ethnicity

• For healthy teenagers and adults (12-65 years) a daily vitamin D supplement containing 15 µg (600 IU) should be taken:

– during extended winter

(end of October to March) for those of fair-skinned ethnicity

– throughout the full year for those of darker-skinned ethnicity

– throughout the full year for those who are pregnant, regardless of ethnicity.

Professor Kevin Cashman, Chair of the Public Health Nutrition Subcommittee that prepared the report highlighted the importance of vitamin e entire evening of music was expertly MC’d by another huge supporter of local talent, KCLR’s Martin Bridgeman. artists looking to share their work with a broader audience.”

D and not being de cient in it in certain life stages. “Vitamin D is involved in calcium metabolism and su cient intake is essential for good bone health throughout the lives of children and adults. It also contributes to the normal function of the immune system and maintenance of normal muscle function. In certain life stages, it is important to ensure that we are not de cient in vitamin D.

MacDonagh Junction take great pride from being an important community hub. On Friday 10th February they hosted a super live music event in the mall for the launch of their brand-new initiative “Music on the Mall” which will see the Shopping Centre play songs created and performed by local artists from Carlow and Kilkenny’s music scene over the mall airwaves every Friday and Saturday afternoons.

O’Flaherty, Darragh O’Connor of Fenix, Eoin Mulvihall of Hawk Jupiter, Elise of Elise Music, Davey Furey and Gala Hatton of Fans of Adventure.

Elise shared: “ ank you MacDonagh Junction. It was so well run and put together! A great launch for an absolutely fantastic project, well done on all the hard work! It was so appreciated.”