Exposure to sunlight is the main source of vitamin D for most people in the UK, but the report acknowledges that during winter there is insufficient UVB radiation in sunlight to synthesise enough vitamin D via the skin.
Advertisement
The advice in a draft report of Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition is saying a previous theory that enough sunlight would get people’s requirement of vitamin D is now not the case anymore.
Recent data published by Public Health England highlighted that more than one in five people have low levels of vitamin D, which is essential for keeping teeth and bones healthy. He said: “Before this the assumption was that adults were able to make all the vitamin D they needed from sunshine, and didn’t need to have any dietary or supplementary intake”.
The unearthing could have been gathered from the official ifa board on vitamin (SACN), which was redesigning endorsed help vitamin D. Previously, small children, pregnant mothers, the over 65s and individuals by having black skin surface have also been allowed to consider…
“SACN will be publishing its final recommendations in early 2016”.
That’s right – the miserable summers with grey skies are actually bad for us as it means we’re lacking in Vitamin D. “It’s a big step forward that this is now officially recognised”.
Deficiency can result in rickets and brittle bones.
Nutrition experts said that most diets were not likely to provide the recommended 10 micrograms of vitamin D every day either.
“Since it is hard to achieve (safe intake) from natural food sources alone, it is recommended that consideration is given to strategies for the UK population to achieve the recommended nutrient intake”.
The change in advice was welcomed by campaigning group Scots Need Vitamin D, which said Global Positioning System should be encouraged to prescribe supplements to all Scots.
Advertisement
Dr Rhein said she believed the Scottish Government should encourage Global Positioning System to prescribe a daily doze of at least 2,000IU or 3,000IU of vitamin D to all patients.
