Prime Highlight
- Health officials recommend taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the colder months to support overall health and immunity.
- The guidance comes as flu hospitalisations rise and seasonal viruses like RSV increase across the UK.
Key Facts
- Vitamin D deficiency can lead to rickets in childrenand weak muscles or bone pain in adults, while also increasing the risk of respiratory infections.
- Vitamin D3 is more effective than D2, being better absorbed and more beneficial for immunity, energy, and general health.
Background
As winter viruses rise across the UK, health experts and the Government are urging people to take a daily vitamin D supplement during the colder months. The recommended tablet costs as little as 2p per pill and is widely available over the counter, making it one of the simplest ways to support overall health during winter.
The advice comes as the country faces increasing levels of flu and other seasonal infections. According to the latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data, flu hospitalisations rose by a third in the last week, reaching 4.56 admissions per 100,000 people. COVID cases have fallen, but respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) levels have increased and remain at low to medium levels.
Vitamin D helps the body control calcium and phosphate, keeping bones, teeth, and muscles strong. In spring and summer, the body makes enough vitamin D from sunlight. Between October and early March, sunlight is too weak for the body to make enough vitamin D, and people spend more time indoors, which lowers natural vitamin D production even more.
Low vitamin D can cause bone problems. In children, it can cause rickets, and in adults, it can cause weak muscles and bone pain. It can also make older people more likely to fall. Vitamin D also supports the immune system, and low levels increase the risk of respiratory infections.
Peter Thnoia, superintendent pharmacist at PillTime, said both vitamin D2 and D3 raise vitamin D levels, but D3 works better and is absorbed more easily. He warned that relying on D2 might limit the benefits, affecting immunity, energy, and overall health.
Health experts say people should take supplements along with a varied and balanced diet, not use them as a replacement.
