No-one is disputing how vitally important vitamin D is – but statements like “Most of the population need a Vit D supplementâ€, “I think that getting the correct amount of Vit D from the sunshine we get in this country is difficult if not impossibleâ€, “They say everyone in England are Vit d deficientâ€, and “It's not easy to get it in sufficient quantities from diet and sun†are very sweeping!
As I stated in my post the current guidelines ( unless they have changed and NHS is out of date – which it can be!) are that everyone should CONSIDER taking a supplement and I totally agree with that!
Whoever “they†are - they must be wrong – how can everyone be vit D deficient in England?! Where is the evidence? If you have digestive problems then this could be the reason for winter deficiency.
A recent article on BBS news website regarding a study last year can be found here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-45736465 . This suggest that in the winter months 1 in 5 adults become deficient. Also how is deficiency defined? – I agree that there is a difference between being deficient and sub-optimal – but I would suggest sub-optimal levels could be treated with a combination of diet and an intermittent supplement eg once a week? Vitamin D is stored in the liver so it doesn't necessarily need to be taken daily (unless deficient).
It is recognised that certain high risks groups WILL become deficient – insufficient obtained from diet by those with digestive conditions (Crohn's disease etc) and those who are taking PPI's, the elderly (over 80's maybe?) If I was in these categories I would definitely be taking a regular daily supplement.
“I think that getting the correct amount of Vit D from the sunshine we get in this country is difficult if not impossible†– the point about this is the difference between – “are we getting enough from sunshine?†and “is it possible to get enough from sunshine?â€. The answer to the first may well be no at present for more people than necessary, but the answer to the second will depend on - as I said before – our skin colour and behaviour/lifestyle and the latitude we live in. As I've said before we are biologically adapted to get sufficient vit D in spring and summer and for these stores to last through most of the winter months in conjunction with diet – we wouldn't be here otherwise. Of course if you use a lot of sunscreen then you won't make it (vit D) – but if you have a very fair skin which burns easily then you will make sufficient vit D at a lower intensity of sunlight so you can expose yourself to the sun way before it gets tso intense that you will burn. That's the point. It's not a question of skin cancer or vit D – you can expose your skin at the right time for your skin and cover up when it gets too hot. If you have a very dark skin and/or cover up for cultural reasons then you will almost certainly need a daily supplement - even in summer - in the UK.
As for the wrinkled prune look – speak for yourself Hummdinger – I'm neither wrinkly nor a prune and spend lots of time in the sun – and actually, personally I would rather be a bit wrinkly and prune-like and have a healthy tanned skin with naturally obtained vit D than take loads of supplements!
We should all consider what is right for us and as per the guidelines and those who feel they need/want to take a supplement, or tests have shown they are deficient – then of course – but don't tell me I can't get most of what I need by other means (sunshine and diet)!!! The swig of cod liver oil I take now and again in late winter is just an added insurance really.....because it is such a important vitamin.
Apart from the high risk groups I am saying surely there is no need to become deficient (as it is currently defined) and it is a great opportunity to examine lifestyle and diet...?
Pilchards? I'll stick to sardines and smoked salmon
These are the vit D rich foods according to the BBC site:
• oily fish
• red meat
• liver
• egg yolks
• fortified foods, such as most fat spreads and some breakfast cereals
Countrygirl - if you have a fair skin then get out in the sun earlier for a short time whenever you can, before it is high enough to burn and then apply sunscreen. Sounds like you are doing the right thing - and also if you feel better and more energetic in the summer you are probably making quite a bit of it then....eggs? (I have one for brekka every day!).
I'm interested in any studies about this....
Oops got a bit carried away there!
Hurdity x