GOVERNMENT orders to stay at home means everyone needs to take Vitamin D supplements this winter after missing out on a necessary boost of summer sunlight.
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has made the recommendation, saying it will help keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy.
Dr Hannah Dearie of the PHA said "during the summer months, from late March/early April to the end of September, our bodies can make most of the Vitamin D we need from sunlight on our skin".
"However, during the winter months, with reduced daylight, most people need an additional supplement to get the required amount of vitamin D.
"This year, with the Covid-19 pandemic, it was advised that we stay at home and as a result a lot of us spent more time indoors than we usually would have during the summer months, resulting in reduced Vitamin D exposure."
She said this year "as we continue to spend more time indoors it is important that we follow this advice".
Vitamin D is also obtained from a healthy balanced diet that includes foods like oily fish (such as salmon, mackerel, trout, kippers and sardines), eggs, meat and dairy products, along with foods fortified with vitamin D such as breakfast cereal.
The PHA has concerns that the supplements could be the latest item to see pandemic-related stock shortages, advising people to "only buy what you and your family need, to ensure the supply chain is maintained for everyone".
Parents with children under four, pregnant on benefits or under 18 are entitled to Healthy Start vouchers.
More information is available at www.healthystart.nhs.uk.
