You might have noticed that the evenings are getting a bit darker recently - and now that summer is over, it's time to start thinking about how this will affect your health.
Vitamin D is vital for keeping your bones, teeth and muscles in good working order, and during the lighter months, most people in the UK naturally absorb enough of it from sunlight. But when the days start to get shorter, it becomes more important to start seeking it out in your daily intake. Official NHS guidance recommends that adults should take a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter - but it's not always clear when to start doing this.
READ MORE: StylPro launches new ‘game-changing’ anti-fog bathroom mirror - and it’s under £50
The essential vitamin is also found in a small number of foods, including oily fish such as salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel, red meat, liver and egg yolks. Explaining the importance of Vitamin D for our bodies, Dr John Burke, Chief Medical Officer at AXA Health said: "Vitamin D is a vital vitamin our bodies need to absorb and use calcium and phosphates from our diet and minerals which are important for maintaining healthy bones, teeth, muscles and skin." He added that it has a host of additional health benefits, including reducing the chance of heart disease, regulating blood pressure and inflammatory pathways, regulating mood and reducing depression, helping to maintain a healthy immune system and protecting and maintaining the protective barrier of our skin.
According to Dr Burke, you should consider taking supplements from September 1 until late March to "prevent vitamin D deficiency", as this is when levels of sunlight are at their lowest. However, you should always stick to the recommended doses of vitamin D when taking supplements, as consuming extreme levels of vitamin D can be toxic to the body.
The NHS recommends that adults should consume supplements of 10 micrograms per day, as consuming more than 100 micrograms (4000 IU) of vitamin D per day can be harmful. If you have been diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency, your doctor may recommend higher doses. Importantly, some people have medical conditions that mean they may not be able to safely use supplements, and you should consult your doctor if you think this may apply to you. Vitamin D supplements are available from most high street pharmacies and many supermarkets.
