Why scientists say official advice to take Vitamin D is bunkum

EVERY man, woman and child above the age of five should think about taking Vitamin D pills from October to March, every year – or so said public health experts in a 2016 recommendation, in order to ‘help keep healthy bones, teeth and muscles’. The edict followed Government-backed research from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), which looked at the links between Vitamin D levels and musculoskeletal health, as well as a range of problems including heart disease, type 1 diabetes, cancer and multiple sclerosis. One in five Britons suffered from low levels of the so-called ‘sunshine vitamin’ – which is essential for healthy bones, among other things – the committee claimed.

Although small amounts can be gained from food, mainly oily fish, offal and eggs, Vitamin D is actually a hormone, primarily produced by the body, in the skin, in response to UV rays from the sun.

And the British weather, particularly during the winter months, prevents much of the population from generating healthy amounts, said the researchers.

At the time, many doctors welcomed this ‘sea change’ in thinking, believing it would help protect public health. And unsurprisingly,

I’VE been diagnosed with oral lichen planus, which means I have a terrible metallic taste in my mouth that overpowers just about anything I eat. It’s miserable. Do you have any advice?

THIS is a common condition thought to affect two per cent of the population with symptoms resulting from inflammation within the mouth.

We don’t know for sure what causes it, although it is believed to result from problems with the immune system.

It is not an infection and it is not usually hereditary.

There are visible changes inside the mouth. It can be seen on the inside of the cheeks, gums and the sides of the tongue as lacey white patches often in a symmetrical pattern on both sides.

If there are red patches, ulcers or blisters, then the condition can be painful. Typically this causes burning and stinging, particularly when eating and drinking.

Lichen planus can have triggers and it is worth keeping a diary to highlight if it is worsened with certain foods or drink, stress or action in the mouth, for example vigorous brushing or tonguescraping or dental work.

Some lichen planus may be related to certain metal fillings, which can be replaced.

Topical treatments within the mouth are can be used to ease symptoms – typically steroid sprays, mouthwashes or pastes.

We often recommend patients use a gargle for two to four minutes, three or four times a day. An example would be 400mcg flixonase or 500mcg betamethasone dissolved in 10ml of water as a gargle. Your GP can prescribe these.

Rigorous oral hygiene is imperative, and because of the small increased risk of mouth cancer associated with oral lichen planus, regular oral or dental check-ups are crucial.

It’s a distressing condition and there is a sufferers’ support group: UK Lichen Planus (uklp.org.uk). I SUFFER from colitis and, distressingly, I’ve found I’m becoming unable to control my bowel. I am currently waiting to hear from the specialist, but can you give any advice on my diet to help this condition? COLITIS is an inflammatory bowel condition with changes in the colon and rectum that cause chronic diarrhoea. It is worth exploring the triggers for urgency, using a food diary over two weeks. Commonly, alcohol, caffeine and dairy products are factors.

Sugar, particularly artificial sugars and sweeteners, draws water in the gut and may make it harder to hold on. Specialists may recommend a low-fat and low-fibre diet avoiding nuts, legumes and raw vegetables.

Specific foods to reduce diarrhoea include rice, bananas and cooked apple.

Over-the-counter drugs such as loperamide may be used in colitis: this will reduce the number of toilet visits a day.

Crohn’s & Colitis UK (crohns andcolitis.org.uk) is a fantastic resource if you are searching for more information.