Should I really stop taking vitamin D in March?
Just as stocking up on a vitamin D supplement is as familiar an October ritual as browsing Zara’s knitwear, the masses will be easing off consumption (along with winter soups and stews) right about now. Based on the UK’S seasonal climate, the Nhs-sanctioned supp-for-six-months rule presumes you’ll naturally maintain vitamin D levels between March and October thanks to the sun – which, let’s be honest, is far from guaranteed. It’s why Martin Hewison, professor of molecular endocrinology at the University of Birmingham, takes supplements all year round through personal choice. ‘[Supplementing October to March] seems a reasonable approach if you have sunny summers and get outside a lot,’ he says. ‘More important to the certain months you supplement is to ensure you’re getting 20 to 25 micrograms per day.’ Doing so, aided by a year-round habit, is actively encouraged among those with darker skintones, whose higher melanin levels make it harder for the sun to penetrate the skin, as well as during pregnancy. Take note: D3 is the form most effective at raising your blood levels of ‘active’ vitamin D.