Dr Priti Patel says if you are not feeling your usual self it could be down to an easy-to-miss deficiency
It can leave people feeling ‘not right'(Image: seb_ra via Getty Images)
A GP has issued an important warning about a widespread vitamin deficiency that can leave individuals feeling as though “something doesn’t feel right”. Dr Priti Patel highlights that while this vitamin is crucial for daily wellbeing, many remain oblivious to the fact they’re not getting sufficient amounts.
A deficiency in Vitamin D – commonly referred to as the sunshine vitamin – can trigger various symptoms including aches, pains and persistent fatigue. While certain foods do contain it – such as oily fish like salmon and sardines, red meat, egg yolks and some fortified cereals and spreads – this is seldom adequate, with people recommended to take a supplement during the darker months.
Taking to Instagram, the GP explained: “Dark mornings are back so here’s what I wish my patients knew about vitamin D. The NHS suggests 10 micrograms a day from October to March, and some of us need it all year round.
“Low vitamin D can be easy to miss. It can show up as aching bones, muscle aches or weakness, and feeling more tired than usual, though lots of people have no signs at all. These can have other causes too, so if something doesn’t feel right, have a chat with your GP rather than guessing.
“In a 10-minute appointment I rarely get time to go over general health tips like this.” However, she emphasised the guidance was general information rather than medical advice, urging anyone with concerns about their health to consult a medical professional, reports Belfast Live.
What does the HSE advise?
According to the HSE Vitamin D plays an important role in keeping your bones, muscles and immune system healthy. It warns a lack of vitamin D can lead to:
bone conditions such as rickets in childrenbone pain and bone weakness caused by a condition called osteomalacia in adults
It added: “In Ireland, many adults have low levels of vitamin D, especially during the winter months.”
Where can I get more vitamin D?
The HSE advised: “The body can create vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin when outdoors. But between October and early March, sunlight is not strong enough to make vitamin D. Vitamin D is also found in a small number of foods.”
Content cannot be displayed without consent
Sources include:
oily fish – such as salmon, sardines, herring and mackerelred meatliveregg yolksfortified foods – such as some fat spreads and breakfast cereals
However it warned: “Often the amount of vitamin D in foods is quite small. Everyone should take a vitamin D supplement, even if they eat some foods containing vitamin D”. Another source of vitamin D is dietary supplements.
How much vitamin D you need
The HSE advised: “Everyone in Ireland needs to take a vitamin D supplement. The amount you need depends on your age, skin tone, your situation and the time of year.
“If you have dark skin – for example you have an African, African-Caribbean or south Asian background – you may also not make enough vitamin D from sunlight.” It said you can get vitamin D supplements from pharmacies.
It said the amount needed differed but recommended the following supplements:
Babies under 12 months: 5 micrograms of vitamin D all year if they are breastfed or having less than 300ml of infant formula a dayChildren aged one-four: 5 micrograms of vitamin D as a supplement every day for a few months each year. Give this from Halloween (October 31) to St Patrick’s Day (March 17)Children age 5 to 12: 10 micrograms of vitamin D as a supplement during the winter months. Give this from Halloween to St Patrick’s Day. Give your child 10 micrograms all year round if they have a darker skin tone or reduced sun exposurePeople aged 13-64: 15 microgram vitamin D supplement from Halloween to St Patrick’s Day or all year round if you have darker skin tone, reduced sun exposure, or if you are pregnant. If you were prescribed a vitamin D supplement of more than 15 micrograms, keep taking it.Adults aged 65 and over: Take a 15 microgram vitamin D supplement every day, all year round. If you were prescribed a vitamin D supplement of more than 15 micrograms, keep taking it.Who is at risk of vitamin D deficiency
The HSE said: “Everyone in Ireland is at risk of vitamin D deficiency in winter. Some people are at risk of deficiency all year round.” You need to take a daily vitamin D supplement all year round if you:
are not often outdoors – for example, people who are housebound, in a nursing home or find it hard to leave the houseusually wear clothes that cover up most of your skin when outdoorshave black or brown skinare over 65are pregnantare a baby