A FAMILY doctor is urging people to take vitamin D supplements to prevent the onset of certain conditions.

Dr Jane Wilcock, from Harwood, who throughout the pandemic has penned number of articles in The Bolton News to keep people informed, is now asking people to consider the taking the supplement if they are not already.

Many may already be taking it through multi-vitamin supplements or a prescription.

She said: “We live in an area where sunshine is an added extra and at a time when many of us have not had a sunshine boost abroad, as we might have done before the Covid-19 pandemic, and in which we were unable to go out due to lockdowns and general caution for many has reduced outside experiences.

"I believe without vitamin D supplementation we might be in for an rise in vitamin D deficiency over the next few months. This is preventable by supplements.”

Vitamin D is created from a reaction of sunlight on our skin and we also take a smaller amount in from food.

Dr Wilcock said: “Between October and March we do not have enough sunlight to make enough vitamin D and it is recommended to take supplements.

“Vitamin D is essential for bone and muscle health. A lack of vitamin D in children is called rickets and can cause bone and muscle pain, tenderness and weakness.

"It can affect bone development, such as a lack of skeletal growth, so smaller than expected, and bowing out of the legs. It can also affect teeth development.”

A lack of vitamin can cause osteomalacia in adults.

Vitamin D is often in multi-vitamin supplements.

“It is important to look at the small print ingredients of the multivitamin or the vitamin D product to see how much is in the tablet, capsule or drops, “ said Dr Wilcock.

“For everyone over four years old it is recommended that we take 10micrograms (400iu) of vitamin D a day between October and March.

“There are some people with dark skin who make less vitamin D, some who never get out into the sun and some people who cover up their skin when out and they may take vitamin D supplements at 10micrograms all year round.

"For children aged one to four years old there are vitamin drops and other supplements available in pharmacies or supermarkets and vitamin D 10micrograms is recommended all year round. Anyone from 10 weeks pregnant, or with a child under four, may qualify for the Healthy Start scheme – www.healthystart.nhs.uk”

Babies under one year old are recommended to take vitamin D in some circumstances, at a different dose (8.5-10micrograms a day); that is if breast feeding or if the baby is on less than 500mls of infant formula milk a day. Anyone with a child under one year should discuss this with their midwife and health visitor.

For more information look at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/#should-i-take-a-vitamin-d-supplement

“After the trials of the COVID-19 pandemic, staying in with the rain and storm Arwen, vitamin D is an important consideration in keeping ourselves optomised,” said Dr Wilcock.