Vitamin D Supplements Advised For Everyone In The U.K By Health Experts

Everyone should take vitamin D supplements during the British autumn and winter because modern lifestyles and gloomy weather have led to deficiencies, health officials have warned. Indoor jobs and poor diets are depriving people of the sunshine vitamin, according to Public Health England (PHE), which has taken the unprecedented step of advising the whole population to increase their intake during the darker months. Additionally, people who spend nearly all their time inside, such as care home residents, or those who cover up for religious or cultural reasons, are urged to consider taking supplements all through the year. People with darker skin tone, and children up to the age of four are also advised to take a daily pill.

Dr Louis Levy, the head of nutrition science at Public Health England said, “A healthy balanced diet and short bursts of sunshine will mean most people get all the vitamin D they need in spring and summer.” But in autumn and winter due to the lack of adequate sunshine, people should consider taking supplements especially if they do not eat foods that contain vitamin D.

PHE has advised adults to consume 10 micrograms daily. The current average intake of vitamin D from food is only about 3 micrograms, so when there is insufficient sunlight to top it up, people become deficient. Babies under one who are exclusively or partially breastfed should be given a supplement containing 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D per day. Babies who are formula fed and drink at least 500ml of formula a day are already getting enough vitamin D from the mixture. Children aged one to five should receive a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D.

The human body makes most of its vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin, but a small amount also comes from foods, including oily fish such as salmon, eggs and fortified cereals and spreads. The vitamin is also found naturally in red meat, liver and egg yolks. Some of the best sources are eggs (one whole poached egg contains 1.025mcg of vitamin D) and fish (one 112g fillet of mackerel contains 18mcg, an 85g fillet of cooked salmon cooked contains 11.2mcg and 85g of tinned, drained salmon contains 12.3mcg).

The new recommendations are based on advice from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), which was asked to review the evidence by the Department of Health. The recommendations refer to an average intake over a period of time, such as a week, and take account of day-to-day variations in vitamin D intake. The cost of vitamin D tablets at the correct dose of 10 micrograms is £1.09 for a 90 day supply.

Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium, which is vital to maintaining healthy bones and teeth. A deficiency can lead to a number of conditions including rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, which cause bones to soften, weaken and in some cases become deformed. Other diseases such as diabetes and cancer have also been linked with low vitamin D, but the evidence has yet to be confirmed.

Advertisement

But there is a balance, too much vitamin D can lead to high levels of calcium in the blood which can cause heart and kidney problems. Anyone with a chronic condition or taking medication should seek advice from their doctor.

Prof Hilary Power, of Sheffield University’s Department for Oncology and Metabolism, who chaired the SCAN review, said if everyone followed the recommendations it could have a huge impact on public health. It would reduce the risk of bone disease. Prof Power added, “The government now needs to look at the evidence and recommendations in the report and consider a strategy to help people in the UK increase their vitamin D intake.” National Health Service, England says vitamin D supplements are available free of charge for low-income families, through the Healthy Start scheme.

Advertisement

Source-Medindia