Vitamin D deficiency: The regular sign you need more of the sunshine vitamin this winter

This Morning: Dr Chris discusses vitamin D and Covid

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The vitamin is really important for our bodies, because it helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. This is necessary for keeping bones and teeth healthy. A lack of vitamin D is termed a vitamin D deficiency, and can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children, and several conditions in adults.

In April 2020, the NHS issued a statement, based on recommendations from Public Health England (PHE), that we should all consider taking 10 mcg/day vitamin D as a supplement, to keep our bones and muscles healthy.

This advice was issued largely because of the restrictions imposed by quarantine and lockdown.

Nonetheless, the NHS says that in summer months, the majority of the population will get enough vitamin D through exposure to sunlight and a healthy, balanced diet.

Between October and early March the health body says we do not make enough vitamin D from sunlight, so you need to get vitamin D from your diet.

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Lloyds Pharmacy says that having good levels of vitamin D in the body can help to maintain the immune system, “meaning you can fight off common infections such as colds or the flu”.

So, if you notice that you’re regularly becoming unwell, “this could be a sign that you’re not getting enough vitamin D”.

Other symptoms can include muscle aches and weakness, waddling gait, chronic widespread pain or bone pain in lower back, pelvis and foot.

Around 20 percent of adults may have low vitamin D status, and there are several main risk factors for vitamin D deficiency.

The NHS says risk factors include a lack of sunlight exposure, darker skin, being housebound, malabsorption, and being pregnant or breastfeeding.

Over-supplementation of vitamin D, however, can be just as harmful and should be avoided.

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 which can weaken the bones and damage the kidneys and the heart.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding ask your midwife or health visitor for information around vitamin D intake.

If you or someone you care for is in a higher risk group they may need to take Vitamin D supplements.

You can take Vitamin D supplements as tablets, liquid or a spray, and they can be bought in a pharmacy.

Alternatively, you can increase your Vitamin D intake through your diet.

The NHS lists foods such as salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel and egg yolks as good sources of Vitamin D. Red meat, Liver and some breakfast cereals can also give you a boost of Vitamin D.

“If your doctor has recommended you take a different amount of vitamin D, you should follow their advice,” the NHS adds.

The health body adds that reports about vitamin D reducing the risk of coronavirus are not backed by enough evidence to know if this is the case.

“There is currently not enough evidence to support taking vitamin D solely to prevent or treat COVID-19,” it says.

You cannot overdose on vitamin D through exposure to sunlight.

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