As our main source of Vitamin D comes from direct sunlight, even if you are eating a varied and balanced diet, including foods fortified with Vitamin D, you could still be at risk of a Vitamin D deficiency. Public health authorities in the UK recommend that everyone takes a supplement containing Vitamin D from October to March as a minimum to maintain sufficient Vitamin D levels for bone and muscle health. 1,2,3,4 Taking a Vitamin D supplement throughout the year is a more important consideration for the following groups:
Under-fives (apart from babies having 500 ml or more of formula per day)
People who do not go outside regularly
People who cover most of their skin when outside
People with dark skin – for example someone who has an African, African-Caribbean or South Asian background may not make enough Vitamin D from sunlight.
It may also be prudent for other groups to consider year-round supplementation because they are at greater risk of low Vitamin D:
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
People over 65 years old – their skin is not as good at making Vitamin D
