Who should take Vitamin D?

The NHS recommends everyone over the age of one supplement with Vitamin D daily especially during the winter months. Those in higher risk groups for deficiency include the elderly, people with limited sun exposure, those with darker skin or people who spend most of their time indoors. It is important to note that diseases such as Celiac,  Crohn’s or kidney disease can affect Vitamin D absorption.

Do I need to take a Vitamin D test before I supplement with Vitamin D?

You do not need to take a test before starting to supplement with Solray-D but it is helpful to know your level so that you can adjust your dose accordingly. 

Can I get enough Vitamin D from sunlight and food?

Dietary sources of Vitamin D include fatty fish, fortified dairy products, egg yolks, mushrooms and liver.  It is possible to get enough Vitamin D from diet and sun exposure however t if you live in the UK it is unlikely that you are getting enough, especially if you use suncrseen on your skin as it can block the production of Vitamin D.  Experts recommend short periods of sun exposure (about 10-30min depending on skin type) without sunscreen to help maintain adequate levels of Vitamin D.

Should I take Vitamin D supplements all year round?

If you do not get regular sun exposure or you are in a high-risk category for deficiency, then it is advisable to supplement all year round. If you get regular sun exposure on bare skin and have a healthy diet rich in Vitamin D then you might not need to supplement in the Summer months.  The only way to accurately find out is to test.

*University of California Riverside More Than Half the World’s Population Gets Insufficient Amounts of Vitamin D, Says UC Riverside Biochemist. 15 July 2010;