NEWS | UK Family Sends Sunshine from Antigua Glamping Site to Mark World Vitamin D Day

November 3, 2020 Shell Robshaw-Bryan

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🕒 4-5 minute read

When a Black Nottinghamshire family heard Matt Hancock, the UK Secretary of State for Health, claim that Vitamin D did not appear to have any impact on the Coronavirus, they knew that he was wrong and set about raising awareness of the importance of Vitamin D, especially for people with Black skin.

Since then, a new report has been published forcing a rethink, with Vitamin D now one step closer to officially being recognised as a potential way to prevent and treat coronavirus, but many people are still not getting enough of this important vitamin.

To highlight the importance of this vital hormone, which is especially important amongst Black people, they chose World Vitamin D day November 2nd to launch their Caribbean inspired Vitamin D3 supplement range and glamping wellness retreat on Valley Church Beach in Antigua.

Husband and wife team Paul and Vennetta Johnston, and their daughter Chloe, had returned to Antigua and their Caribbean roots, to set up Wild Lotus, a luxury beach glamping resort.

In March 2020, when borders around the world started closing due to COVID-19, they knew instinctively that their best chance of survival was to build their physical resilience. This meant staying in Antigua in the sunshine. To date, with a population of 102,000, Antigua has had just 3 COVID related deaths.

The crucial role Vitamin D plays

There is mounting evidence that people with Vitamin D deficiency suffer far worse outcomes of COVID-19. In the northern hemisphere, death rates have been highest amongst people with darker skin who need longer exposure to sunlight to make the hormone, and people in care homes who rarely go outdoors.

‘It was heart-breaking to see so many COVID related deaths, especially amongst BAME people. This inspired us to reinforce the message about the vital role that sunshine plays in maintaining optimum health. Sending ‘Sunshine’, with love from Antigua, to our friends around the world is our small way of letting them know that we are thinking of them, and that they will always get a warm and sunny welcome’ says Vennetta Johnston, owner at Wild Lotus.

Wild Lotus D3 Vitamin Supplements

Guests who book the Naturally Wild Wellness retreat will receive 2 months’ supply of ‘Sunshine’ the aptly named Wild Lotus range of Vitamin D3 supplements, to help maintain optimum health through the cold winter months, whilst dreaming of Antigua’s beaches. They can choose a blend of Vitamin D3 with coconut oil, or CBD oil. Both ingredients have proven health benefits and are indigenous to Antigua.

Vitamin D3 is known as the Sunshine Vitamin because the body produces it when skin is exposed to sunlight. Dr. Michael Holick, scientific advisor to the Vitamin D Society in Canada, maintains that Vitamin D deficiency is linked with a raft of diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), dementia, diabetes mellitus (DM), falls and fractures, multiple sclerosis (MS), and respiratory tract infections.

A 2016 University of Edinburgh study concluded that one of the best things anyone living in northern Europe can do for their health is take a winter sunshine holiday. A couple of weeks of bright sunshine in midwinter can provide enough vitamin D to last until spring when the sun has gathered some strength in the British Isles.

Find Wellness at Wild Lotus Antigua Glamping Retreat

After months of lockdown and isolation travellers are seeking outdoor wellness experiences that build physical resilience and personal reconnection. Guests at Wild Lotus can enjoy beach yoga, CDB oil massage, forest bathing, cardio drumming, and even learn to play steel pan, all set in either on the beach or in the rainforest for maximum health benefits.

Glamping on one of the best beaches in Antigua and enjoying a wellness retreat in nature is the ideal way to rejuvenate mind, body and soul and top up your reserves of this vital hormone.

Delivery of Vitamin D supplements will be after holiday balance paid and prior to your departure wherever possible, in some cases delivery will be made upon return. Only one packet of 60 tablets per booking on a direct booking. Whilst stocks last. Offer can be withdrawn at any time.

You can find out more about glamping wellness retreats at Wild Lotus Antigua here.

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Shell Robshaw-Bryan

Editor & Owner at Camping with Style

Shell loves all things travel and outdoors and is a nature-loving, comfy-camping kinda girl. Shell started the Camping with Style blog after a serious snowboarding accident which left her with a broken back. Despite this she used the outdoors and healing power of nature to aid her recovery and she continues to spend time outdoors whenever she can.

From open water swimming, snowboarding and kayaking to hill walks and meditation, Shell shares her travels and microadventures here on the blog and in various publications she's written for, Shell has a particular interest in promoting wellbeing and the many benefits of nature therapy.

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