Take Vitamin D to help stay healthy this Winter

Did you know that in the winter months (October – March), we are unable to get enough Vitamin D from sunlight?

Our main source of vitamin D is sunlight. In Scotland, we can only get the right kind of sunlight for our bodies to make vitamin D between 11am and 3pm during April – September.

From October to March, we have less and poor quality sunlight, therefore we need to rely on vitamin D from food. Since vitamin D is found naturally in only in a small number of foods, like oily fish and eggs, or it is added to some foods, like breakfast cereal, it is difficult to get enough from food alone. It is therefore important that we take a daily supplement containing vitamin D.

That’s why we’ve partnered with Food Standards Scotland, who recommends taking a 10 microgram Vitamin D supplement every day during winter months.

Why is this important?

Vitamin D helps improve bone and muscle health. This is especially important for those most likely to be at risk of Vitamin D deficiency, such as pregnant/ breast feeding mothers.

It is specifically recommended that groups of people at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency take a daily supplement all year round.

These groups include:

• all pregnant and breastfeeding women
• infants and children under 5 years old
• people who have low or no exposure to the sun, for example those who cover their skin for cultural reasons, are housebound, confined indoors for long periods or live in an institution such as a care home.
• people from minority ethnic groups with dark skin such as those of African, African-Caribbean and south Asian origin, who require more sun exposure to make as much vitamin D.

Vitamin D supplements can be bought from local supermarkets, pharmacies or online – However some individuals in Scotland are entitled to free vitamin D supplements.

Pregnant women in Scotland are entitled to free Healthy Start vitamins which contain vitamin D, ask your midwife about them.

Free vitamin D supplements are available for breast fed infants, breastfeeding mothers and young children.  Ask your family nurse or health visitor for more information. The vitamin D supplements can be picked up from the reception desk at the following local health centres in Falkirk: