Public Health England recommends vitamin D supplements in autumn and winter

Children and adults should take a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D in autumn and winter to protect bone and muscle health because it is difficult to meet this intake from dietary sources, Public Health England has recommended after the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition reviewed available evidence.

The Department of Health asked the committee to update the vitamin D dietary reference values for the UK population by reviewing research evidence on the vitamin’s role in musculoskeletal health, including bone mineral density, fractures, and muscle strength, as well as in non-musculoskeletal conditions such as heart disease and cancer.

The committee …