Vitamin D is a key player in bone health, but do we need to take supplements to get enough of it?
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Because we don’t get a lot of sun, it’s quite likely Brits could find themselves deficient in vitamin D.
It comes after the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which advises the NHS on treatments, has already suggested vitamin D should be given more widely to counter a hidden epidemics of deficiency.
The low level of sunlight during winter months means people in the UK are at risk.
People living in the UK need to up their daily intake of Vitamin D because gloomy British weather does not provide enough sunshine.
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…
The independent Scientific Advisory Body on Nutrition (SACN) made the recommendation after studying the links between vitamin D levels and a range of health problems, including musculoskeletal health, heart disease, type 1 diabetes, cancer and multiple sclerosis.
“SACN was right to say that we can’t rely on sunshine in the UK to meet the vitamin D requirements”. Deficiency of vitamin D results in bone pain, osteoporosis (weakening of the bones), rickets in children, and osteomalacia in adults.
The committee announced the recommendation last week for a 10 microgram dietary supplement of vitamin D for everybody in the United Kingdom over the age of one year.
“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”.
But the report estimates that most people get only five micrograms from their diets.
Professor Hilary Powers, chair of the SACN vitamin D working group, said: “It is important to remember that this vitamin D report is a draft so the recommendations may change after the consultation period”.
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The final version will be published early next year and could be adopted by the Government.
