Why everyone needs vitamin D
ARE you following government advice on vitamin D? To protect bone and muscle health, everyone needs it, recommends Public Health England.
And if you are over 60, there are even more reasons to consider the supplement.
It has been found that taking sufficient vitamin D helps to reduce the risk of falls associated with postural instability and muscle weakness.
This ‘sunshine vitamin’ is also recognised by the European Food Safety Authority for its role in supporting the immune system, which can help to maintain good health throughout the autumn and winter.
Current UK advice is that all of us, regardless of age, should take a vitamin D supplement in autumn and winter. Some groups are advised to consider using a supplement year-round, not just seasonally.
These include anyone who spends more time inside than outside, as our primary source of vitamin D is sunlight.
The British Dietetic Association recommends that those over 65 take it all year, due to the body’s changing ability to absorb vitamins and minerals as we age.
Vitamin D plays a part in a range of vital health functions. It contributes to the maintenance of normal muscle function and normal teeth, bones and blood calcium levels, on top of its role in maintaining the immune system.
Reviewers of a supplement from a Cambridge-based company have given it high ratings. ‘The dark days of winter used to take a toll on my wellbeing, but I am coming through this one on top form,’ writes a user.
Public Health England, the Department of Health and the NHS are all aligned on the need for vitamin D.
The NHS website states: ‘ Since it is difficult in the latter half of the year for people to get enough vitamin D from sunlight and food alone, everyone should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D during the autumn and winter.’
The advice is based on the recommendations of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) following a review of scientific evidence.
The company’s head of product development, Miriam Ferrer PhD, says: ‘The advice on vitamin D is quite clear across the board. To ensure good health, people should consider taking a vitamin D supplement throughout winter, or on a more permanent basis if their lifestyle means that they are not getting enough from other sources.’