Winter wellbeing: PHA recommends daily vitamin D supplement

Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement
image of foods high in vitamin D

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging people across Northern Ireland to consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement to support wellbeing during the autumn and winter months. 

Vitamin D is obtained through sunlight, diet and supplements. In Northern Ireland, from October to early spring, it is more difficult to get enough vitamin D from sunlight, and while foods such as oily fish, eggs, meat, dairy products and fortified cereals can help, most people still require a daily supplement at this time of year to support healthy bones, teeth and muscles. 

Dr Hannah McCourt, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager at the PHA, said: “During the spring and summer months, our bodies can make the vitamin D we need from food and sunlight on our skin. However, during the autumn and winter months, with reduced daylight, we advise people to consider taking a 10-microgram supplement of vitamin D every day to help keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy.”

Some groups are advised to take a daily 10 microgram vitamin D supplement throughout the entire year. These include:

  • Pregnant and breastfeeding women
  • Breastfed babies from birth
  • Babies receiving less than 500ml of infant formula per day
  • All children aged 1–5 years
  • People aged 65+
  • People who are not exposed to much sunlight
  • People with darker skin tones, including those from African, Afro-Caribbean or South Asian backgrounds

Vitamin D supplements are widely available in community pharmacies and supermarkets. Families may also be eligible for support through the Healthy Start scheme.

Hannah added: “You can buy vitamin D supplements at your local community pharmacy and most supermarkets. If you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant or you have at least one child that’s under four, and you’re in receipt of a qualifying benefit, you can also request vitamins as part of the Healthy Start Scheme. You will also be eligible for Healthy Start if you’re under 18 and pregnant, even if you are not claiming any benefits, or you claim income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and are over 10 weeks pregnant.  Visit www.pha.site/healthystart for more information. If you are not sure which supplements to take, ask your pharmacist, GP or health visitor for advice.” 

Further information on vitamin D is available at www.pha.site/vitaminD 

The Public Health Dietitians Group has also launched a new online video explainer, “The truth about: Vitamin D and your health”, which is available to watch on YouTube. The short video highlights who needs vitamin D, why it matters, and how to top up safely: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRE7eLZzqq4