VITAMINS
THE BENEFITS OF TAKING VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTS ARE INCREASINGLY BEING ACKNOWLEDGED BY HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS. RECENTLY, NHS WESTERN ISLES FOUND AN INNOVATIVE WAY TO SPREAD THE WORD...
THE ‘SUNSHINE
VITAMIN’ D
eficiency in Vitamin D in the United Kingdom - and particularly in Scotland - is widespread. While deficiency is widespread throughout the UK as a result of the chronic lack of sunlight, the situation in Scotland is deemed to be worse than the rest of the country due to the fact that Scotland received 30-50 per cent less ultraviolet radiation (UVB) from the sun than the rest of the UK due to its high latitude and persistent low cloud cover.
In fact, Glasgow, which is renowned for its cloudy climate, actually receives a similar amount of UVB as Kiruna in Northern Sweden, which is above the Arctic Circle!
Even in the summer, 75 per cent of Scots have been found to have vitamin D levels that are less than optimal; a figure which rises to an alarming 92 per cent in the winter.
WHY IS VITAMIN D SO IMPORTANT?
Multiple studies have suggested a connection between low vitamin D
levels and increased incidence and death from cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, multiple sclerosis, diabetes etc. Indeed, vitamin D deficiency is believed by experts to account for the very poor state of health in Scotland rather than smoking, alcoholism, poverty and poor diet that had previously been offered as an explanation.
Healthcare workers were unaware until recently of the consequences of vitamin D deficiency and its role in chronic disease. Many internationally recognised experts now accept, however, that vitamin D deficiency is a major risk factor in a long list of chronic diseases.
WHY IS THERE A DEFICIENCY?
Well, vitamin D is produced in the body by the sun hitting the skin. The particular wavelength required to produce vitamin D from the sun is, however, only available for three or four months in
the summer barring rain and cloud. Also, the skin needs to be exposed at the hottest time of the day for about fifteen minutes.
Unfortunately, only a small amount of vitamin D can be obtained from our diet - particularly from foods such as oily fish, eggs and fortified cereals. As a result, there is little choice but to take vitamin D supplements.
Who is most at risk?
Low vitamin D levels are particularly recognised as an issue for pregnant and breastfeeding women, and for infants and children under five years of age. Pregnant women must also ensure that not only is their own requirement for Vitamin D met, but that they also build up adequate stores in the developing foetus for early infancy.
HEALTHY START
Since 2013, pharmacies in Scotland have distributed free vitamin D pills to eligible patients to fight diseases linked to the lack of sunshine. The Healthy Start pills, which are available to pregnant or
breastfeeding women, and to those who have a child under four years of age, and are eligible for Healthy Start. The current tablets for pregnant and lactating women contain the correct dosage. From Spring 2017, free vitamins, which include vitamin D, will be available to all pregnant women in Scotland.
The current Healthy Start drops for children contain 7.5 micrograms in the recommended five drops per day, but recent updated advice from the Scottish Government has recommended giving them 10 micrograms per day. Parents have, however, been advised not to become concerned and continue to give this dose until the current vitamin drops are replaced by the increased dosage drops.
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14 - SCOTTISH PHARMACIST
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