Do you really know? Do I need to take vitamin D supplements?
Sep 30, 2025
Discover why vitamin D is essential and how it earns the nickname ‘sunshine vitamin’ as sunlight transforms cholesterol in your skin into this vital nutrient. Learn about the seasonal advice for supplementation and the importance of at least 20 minutes of sun exposure daily. Uncover dietary sources rich in vitamin D, like oily fish and egg yolk, and the limitations of dairy in the UK. Find out who should consider supplements, along with testing recommendations and precautions for children's dosing!
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Vitamin D Is A Hormone-Like Nutrient
- Vitamin D is produced from cholesterol in skin when UVB sunlight provides energy for synthesis.
- It acts more like a hormone and influences many organs via widespread receptors.
Get Short, Safe Sun Sessions
- Aim for about 20 minutes of sun exposure per day when possible.
- Prefer before 11am or after 5pm to avoid peak UV damage.
Wide-Ranging Health Roles
- Vitamin D is crucial for immunity, bone strength, muscles, tendons and cartilage.
- A deficiency causes rickets in children and osteomalacia-related bone pain in adults.