As winter nears and days get shorter, interest in vitamin D will inevitably increase and decisions will need to be made. Am I deficient? Do I need to supplement? What about my family? What’s the best type?
The answer is that unless you have year round sun on the skin, you most probably need to supplement with vitamin D3 around 2000 iu per day during the winter. If you have dark skin or don’t access sunlight during the summer then you are most likely deficient.
It’s widely acknowledged that many of us are deficient or have sub-optimal levels of vitamin D and there is an increasing amount of research showing its importance across a wide range of biological activity, with tumour suppression, bone health, immunity and depression.
Birmingham City Hospital does a home kit that tests your vitamin D status for £25. Email vitd@cityassays.org.uk or call 0121 507 4278