With longer hours of daylight and more sunshine expected over the coming months, many Brits are holding off on vitamin D supplements until the autumn.
However, one nutritionist argues that certain groups of people should not be discouraged from taking a daily supplement, even though being outdoors in the sun provides the essential vitamin. During the colder months (October to March), the NHS advises Brits to take vitamin D, as sunlight alone is not enough for the body to make it, and research has shown that vitamin D can help prevent dementia.
Working with vitamin brand Vitabiotics, Rachel Sacerdoti revealed why vitamin D, whether in the form of a pill or sunscreen, is an essential part of a healthy life and said people should take it all year round.
She said: “Contrary to popular belief, vitamin D levels can drop all year round, even in the sunshine months, so it’s a good idea to take a vitamin D supplement even when the sun is out.”
“Vitamin D has a wide range of benefits, including supporting immune system function, aiding muscle function and helping the body absorb and utilise calcium, making it an essential nutrient for overall health and wellbeing.”
“Many people would assume that getting plenty of sunlight will ensure they get enough vitamin D. However, while sunlight is a natural source of vitamin D, there are factors that affect vitamin D absorption, including skin pigmentation, sunscreen use, and the angle of the sun.”
Wellness coaches advised taking extra supplements even in the sunniest months for people who spend a lot of time indoors, have darker skin or wear certain religious clothing which may prevent the skin from absorbing vitamin D. Cheap tablets can be bought for £7.99 for 300 tablets, working out to about 2p per tablet.
She stressed that anyone who has been recommended to take vitamin D tablets by a health professional should consult with their doctor before deciding whether to forgo daily supplements over the summer.
Rachel detailed other recommendations from the UK Department of Health, suggesting that everyone, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, should consider taking at least a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter.
For those who struggle to stick to a daily supplement regimen, Rachel has some suggestions:
Set a daily reminder
The wellness coach advised setting reminders on your phone or in your planner during the “busy” summer days can help you stick to the recommended intake.
With breakfast
Rachel advises: “Make it a habit to take your vitamin D with breakfast. Vitamin D is fat-soluble, so taking it with a meal that contains healthy fats will help improve absorption.”
Keep it visible
The experts noted that placing the supplements next to everyday items, such as a toothbrush, can serve as a “visual reminder” and “make it easy to incorporate into your daily life.”
Create a routine
Rachel advocates: “Make taking your vitamin D a daily habit. Whether that’s after a hearty breakfast in the morning or just after dinner at night, finding a consistent time to take your supplement will help you develop a habit that’s easy to remember.”
Taking vitamin D supplements may help prevent dementia, according to a large study published last year. Researchers from the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the University of Calgary in Canada and the University of Exeter in the UK looked at the relationship between vitamin D supplements and dementia in more than 12,388 participants from the US National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Centre. The average age of participants was 71 years old and they did not have dementia at the time of enrollment. Thirty-seven percent of participants (4,637 people) were taking vitamin D supplements.
In a study published in 2011, Alzheimer’s and Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment, and Disease Monitoring The research team, supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Exeter Biomedical Research Centre, found that taking vitamin D was associated with an increased period of time living without dementia, and that the group taking the supplements were 40 per cent less likely to be diagnosed with dementia.
