Northern Ireland

Public should take Vitamin D supplements during lockdown, health agency says

Vitamin D has been called the 'sunshine vitamin'
Vitamin D has been called the 'sunshine vitamin' Vitamin D has been called the 'sunshine vitamin'

Everyone should take vitamin D supplements during the lockdown to help keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has said.

The essential vitamin comes from two main sources - sunlight and food.

Caroline Bloomfield from the PHA said that some people may not be getting enough Vitamin D during the lockdown.

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"During the coronavirus pandemic the government has advised that we all stay at home, and while many of us will actually be outdoors more than usual if we have gardens or go outside for our once-daily exercise, for some the lockdown will mean spending much more time indoors.

“As a result of being inside more, we may not be getting enough vitamin D from sunlight. We are advising that everyone should consider taking a supplement of vitamin D every day to keep their bones, teeth and muscles healthy."

Our bodies can make vitamin D from sunlight during the summer. The vitamin also comes from foods including oily fish (such as salmon, mackerel, trout, kippers and sardines), eggs and meat, and fortified breakfast cereals.

Vitamin D helps keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy
Vitamin D helps keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy Vitamin D helps keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy

For some of us, sunlight and foods do not provide enough vitamin D, and it is therefore recommended that:

  • All infants (breastfed and formula fed) from birth to one year of age, unless they are drinking 500ml (1 pint) or more of infant formula each day, should take an 8.5-10 microgram supplement every day throughout the year
  • Children aged between 1 and 4 years should take a 10 microgram supplement every day throughout the year
  • Everyone aged 5 years and over (including pregnant and breastfeeding women) should consider taking a 10 microgram supplement every day, particularly between October and March
  • People who are not exposed to much sun or who cover up their skin for cultural reasons and people with dark skin should take a 10 microgram supplement every day throughout the year

For more information on vitamin D please visit the PHA website at www.pha.site/vitaminD