Why Vitamin D?

The majority of people do not get enough vitamin D, putting them at increased risk of a variety of different diseases. Many infants and children are seriously deficient, putting their growth and health at risk. 

The action of sun on bare skin is your best source of vitamin D. We will tell you how to sunbathe safely and stress the importance of winter vacations in the sun. We want to persuade food companies to put more vitamin D in food. Marks and Spencer has begun by adding vitamin D to milk. We have already persuaded some Health Charities to give improved advice on sunshine. We have also successfully persuaded government and Health Service providers to improve their advice to mothers and to advise a vitamin D supplement for most breast fed babies under six months.

“Almost 90% of adults in the UK have sub-optimal levels of the sunshine vitamin in winter”

For most people sunshine and food cannot provide sufficient vitamin D. From mid-October to mid-April the sun is not strong enough in Europe and other northern regions to make any vitamin D. Even in summer months many people have lifestyles that prevent them from gaining adequate exposure to the sun and in the UK the maritime climate means that the sky is often overcast in summer.

Almost 90% of adults in the UK have sub-optimal levels of the sunshine vitamin in winter and even in summer about 60% do not get enough. Eating fish, eggs and meat provides some useful vitamin D but not enough to maintain optimal levels. Milk fortified with vitamin D is not easy for many people to get in the UK and so makes little difference. Active sunbathing can make a big difference, but for most the convenient answer is a vitamin D supplement.

“Vitamin D is the only vitamin you cannot get sufficient amounts of from a varied and balanced diet”

Any vitamin D supplement will do, but we believe The Vitamin D Company has made an important advance in developing an affordable micro-tablet that breaks up easily in the mouth as it becomes moist. No need for a drink of water and an awkward swallow. Our microtabs are tasteless and so can be eaten like a crumb of bread. When babies are old enough to take solid food they can easily take our micro-tablet. For tiny babies, the micro-tab can be dispersed in a few drops of liquid in a teaspoon.

Presently, vitamin D is the only vitamin you cannot get sufficient amounts of from a varied and balanced diet. Those who cannot get sufficient amounts of sun exposure regularly in the middle of the day should take a Vitamin D supplement all year round. For those who regularly spend time outdoors in summer with bare arms and legs - regular walkers, gardeners, and sports teachers, for example - a supplement in winter may be sufficient.