As colder months approach, a GP has advised Britons to start taking a cheap supplement to boost their health through winter. Dr Donald Grant, senior clinical advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, said vitamin D supplements can help to combat a lack of natural vitamin D from sunlight. He added: “It’s fair to say summer has come to an abrupt end, with stormy weather up and down the UK. This can lead to a lack of vitamin D, which is primarily produced from direct sunlight, leaving people without an extremely vital nutrient.”
What is vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is used by the body for bone development and maintenance. It helps to regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, both of which are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy.
Dr Grant said: “Vitamin D is vital for our wellbeing and plays an important role in many aspects of health.”
How do vitamin D levels impact health?
A lack of vitamin D can put people at higher risk of rickets of osteoporosis, Dr Grant explained. Rickets is the softening and weakening of bones in children, which can lead to bowed legs.
He added: “Additionally, the vitamin is also crucial for supporting the immune system, helping the body protect against infections or diseases. A lack of vitamin D could put your body at a heightened risk of autoimmune conditions and chest infections.”
Vitamin D is also important for muscle function and a deficiency can lead to muscle weakness.
“This emphasises that people of all ages must adopt a healthy nutrient intake, as older individuals could be at an increased risk of falls,” Dr Grant said.
People at particular risk of vitamin D deficiency include babies (unless they’re having more than 500ml of infant formula a day) and children aged one to four, who are advised to take a daily supplement throughout the year, according to the NHS.
Where can you get vitamin D?
Most people can get all the vitamin they need from sunlight between about late March or early April and the end of September. But our bodies cannot make enough vitamin D from sunlight in the darker months before October and early March.
Government advice is that everyone should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter.
Dr Grant said: “With daylight hours set to drop, the body may require additional support in attaining this crucial vitamin. That’s why I strongly recommend purchasing some vitamin D supplements at this time of year.
“Taking these supplements earlier this year can combat the lack of sunlight, avoiding the risk of nutrient deficiencies throughout the colder period.”
Vitamin D is also found in some foods. Dr Grant said: “Aside from supplements, foods such as oily fish, egg yolks and red meat are all great sources of vitamin D that can easily be incorporated into diets.
“With the weather remaining quite disappointing, it’s important to keep on top of nutrient intake to avoid a reduction in well-being.”