Your Daily Dose of Vitamin D
Vitamin supplementation has often been met with scepticism by the medical profession. However, there is one vitamin that has been hogging the headlines recently, vitamin D.
I have written before about children who stay indoors attached to their computer games, not getting enough vitamin D – which is created by sunlight directed to the skin. Vitamin D is important for growing bones. New evidence also suggests that vitamin D protects against respiratory infections.
New guidance suggests that we should be taking vitamin D supplements during autumn and winter (October to March). The sun is not strong enough in the UK at this time of year to produce vitamin D. Foods that are rich in vitamin D include oily fi sh, salmon, liver and eggs. Smoked salmon and Scotch eggs have been described as a plateful of ‘sunshine’ vitamins. It is diffi cult to get enough vitamin D from diet alone, so taking supplements in winter to top up levels when sunshine is scarce and respiratory viruses
are prevalent is benefi cial. The recommendation goes further for children aged four and under. They should have a daily 10mcg vitamin D supplement all year round. Babies on formula milk do not need
the supplement as this milk is already fortifi ed.
There is a historical precedent. After the Second World War, in the 1950s, the Government issued a dose of cod liver oil to children every day. It was thought to be a good source of vitamin D, but it was later deemed to be unnecessary. The Government may be inclined to make a u-turn and consider a strategy to help people increase their vitamin D intake.
Dr Mark Bridgman
Hadleigh Lodge Surgery
www.thehadleighpractice.nhs.uk
32
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