Fifers urged to take daily vitamin D supplement to combat the health effects of lockdown

Kirkcaldy’s Health Food and More, the only independent health store in Fife currently remaining open, is recommending a daily dietary supplement of vitamin D – otherwise dubbed the ‘sunshine vitamin’ – to help support the immune system and ward off illness and infections.

Its advice is in line with guidance published on the Scottish Government website this month.

Consultant medical herbalist Keren Brynes Maclean said: “While we’re in lockdown, it’s unlikely that many of us will be getting our recommended daily amount of vitamin D from the sunshine or our diets alone.

“Our skin makes vitamin D when exposed to the sun, but this is unlikely to happen naturally, in sufficient amounts, during lockdown.”

Current UK Government advice is that people in Britain should already be taking a daily supplement of 10mcg during the winter months between October and March, while those who are unable to spend much time outdoors are recommended to take a supplement all year round.

People at particular risk have traditionally included those who are housebound, live in a care home, wear clothing which covers most of the skin while outdoors, and those with darker skin.

Now, as lockdown continues, Health Food and More says more and more people may be at risk of vitamin D deficiency, such as families who live in flats and are unable to spend adequate time outdoors.

Keren added: “Vitamin D is really important for healthy bones, teeth and muscles. A lack of it could lead to bone deformities such as rickets, which has long been thought of as a disease of the middle ages and could cause weak or soft bones in children.”

Health Food and More recommends that the quickest way to get vitamin D into the bloodstream is by taking oral or sublingual supplements. This means the supplements are absorbed though the tongue and quickly released into the body.

There is plenty of scientific research to suggest that taking vitamin D supplements can help to support overall immunity.

Health Food and More is currently offering a postal service whereby customers can place orders over the phone and have their vitamins delivered.

To order vitamin D supplements by phone, please call Health Food and More on 01592 566446.