SO HOW SHOULD YOU GET YOUR DAILY DOSE?

IN 2014, The Mail on Sunday’s columnist Dr Michael Mosley and the University of Aberdeen compared three ways for people with ‘low’ Vitamin D to increase their levels.

They found that ten minutes of daily sun exposure at lunch time, 25mcg (1000i.u.) Vitamin D supplements and eating a 100g portion of oily fish three times a week were all similarly effective at raising blood levels of Vitamin D.

Correcting a severe deficiency, which is often part of a more complex set of health problems, might need much higher levels, or Vitamin D injections, and is something that you should discuss with your GP. Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency include lethargy, muscle aches and bone pain.

Children aged one to four years, the housebound and people who cover up for cultural/religious reasons should definitely take 10mcg Vitamin D all year round, adds Prof Avanell.

But for almost all of us of us, just keeping ourselves out of the deficiency risk zone is all that’s needed and with a bit of sunshine and a good diet that shouldn’t be difficult, or require high dose supplements, says Prof Spector.

‘If you get out in the sun during the summer, plus eat Vitamin D sources like salmon, kippers, sardines and eggs, you may need not supplements at all. And if you do take one, less is more.

‘As per Government advice, an inexpensive 10mcg daily dose taken from October to March, and available in most supermarkets, should suffice.’