TV doctor Dr Amir Khan has taken to social media to remind people across the UK to start taking a vitamin D supplement as the weather changes this October. He said it is important for almost everyone in the UK to take note, as taking the supplement will strengthen their health throughout the winter months.
As the evenings draw in earlier and the sun rises later, people across Britain will find themselves exposed to considerably less daylight each day. The ITV regular and NHS GP turned to Instagram to highlight the importance of taking a vitamin D supplement to compensate for what people are missing out on naturally.
What Dr Khan Recommends
He said: "This is your annual October reminder to start taking your Vitamin D supplement. I know it's really sunny today, but we don't get enough sunlight between October right through to the end of March. So start taking your supplement, 400 international units or 10 micrograms, that's what the NHS recommends."
Dr Khan adds that "everyone should be doing [this]", claiming that some people may need higher-than-average doses if they are already deficient. He said: "We all need to be doing it. Honestly, it will really help keep you healthy through the winter."
It is crucial to consult your GP beforehand when introducing any new supplements to confirm they are appropriate for you, particularly if you are currently on certain medications.
Where to Get Vitamin D
People can get vitamin D tablets from high street stores like Boots. The chain is currently (as of October 2) selling High Strength Vitamin D Food Supplements for £4 (works out at roughly 4p per tablet).
According to the NHS website, vitamin D helps regulate calcium and phosphate levels in the body. The health service further states that "these nutrients are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy".
NHS Guidance and Natural Sources
The NHS states: "From about late March or early April to the end of September, most people should be able to make all the vitamin D they need from sunlight. The body creates vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin when outdoors."
From October onwards, we cannot produce sufficient vitamin D from sunlight, so we must obtain it from alternative sources. A straightforward supplement can assist, but there are numerous natural sources available in foods we consume, such as oily fish like salmon, sardines, trout, herring or mackerel, red meat, egg yolks, fortified foods such as some fat spreads and breakfast cereals, and liver (avoid if you're pregnant).
The NHS says: "Taking too many vitamin D supplements over a long period of time can cause too much calcium to build up in the body (hypercalcaemia). This can weaken the bones and damage the kidneys and the heart."
Those who opt to take vitamin D supplements should examine the packaging and target 10 micrograms daily. The NHS maintains that this will "be enough for most people".
The service continues: "Do not take more than 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) of vitamin D a day as it could be harmful. This applies to adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women and the elderly, and children aged 11 to 17 years."
Some people have medical conditions that mean they may not be able to safely take as much. If in doubt, you should consult your doctor.
