With longer, sunnier days for the next few months, many Brits are putting away Vitamin D supplements until the autumn.
However, one nutritionist insists the daily supplement shouldn’t be shelved for certain groups of people, despite the sunshine offering the essential vitamin just outside. 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 produce it – and studies have found it can stave off dementia.
Rachael Sacerdoti, enlisted by vitamin brand Vitabiotics, revealed just why vitamin D is such a necessary component to a healthy life whether it comes in pill or sun form – and said people should take it all year round.
She shared: “Contrary to popular belief, your vitamin D levels may dip at any time of the year, even in the sunniest months, so I would still recommend taking vitamin D supplements even when the sun is out.
“Vitamin D has a wide range of benefits such as supporting the function of the immune system, aiding muscle function and helping with absorption and utilisation of calcium in the body– an essential nutrient for your overall health and wellbeing.
“When exposed to more sunlight, many would assume they’re getting sufficient vitamin D. However, while sunlight is a natural source of vitamin D, there are factors that can affect its absorption, such as skin pigmentation, sunscreen use, and the angle of the sun.”
The wellness coach advised that those who spend more time indoors, have darker skin tones, wear certain religious clothing that may block the absorption of vitamin D through their skin take additional supplements even during the sunniest months. The cheap pills can be bought for £7.99 for 300 meaning they amount to about 2p each.
She highlighted that those who have been advised to take vitamin D pills by a medical professional consult their doctor before deciding whether or not to skip their daily supplements during the summer.
Detailing other recommendations from the UK Department of Health, Rachael suggested that everyone, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, should at least consider taking a daily Vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter.
For those that struggle to keep up with their daily supplement routine, Rachael had some suggestions.
Set a daily reminder
The wellness coach advised that during the “hectic” summer days, a reminder on a person’s phone or in their planner can help them keep up with their recommended doses.
Pair with breakfast
Rachael advised: “Make it a habit to take your vitamin D with your morning meal. Vitamin D is fat-soluble, so taking it with a meal that includes healthy fats can help enhance its absorption.”
Keep it visible
The expert noted that keeping the supplements next to things that people use every day without fail, like their toothbrush, can be a helpful “visual reminder” and can easily “integrate it into your daily routine”.
Create a routine
Rachael insisted: “Make taking your vitamin D a part of your daily routine. Whether it’s after a hearty breakfast in the morning or right after dinner in the evening, finding a consistent time to take your supplement can help make it a habit that you won’t easily forget.”
Taking vitamin D supplements may help ward off dementia, according to a large-scale study published last year. Researchers at the University of Calgary’s Hotchkiss Brain Institute in Canada and the University of Exeter in the UK explored the relationship between vitamin D supplementation and dementia in more than 12,388 participants of the US National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center, who had a mean age of 71 and were dementia-free when they signed up. Of the group, 37 per cent (4,637) took vitamin D supplements.
In the study, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring and supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Exeter Biomedical Research Centre, the team found that taking vitamin D was associated with living dementia-free for longer, and they also found 40 per cent fewer dementia diagnoses in the group who took supplements.