50% of respondents in a new British Nutrition Foundation survey said they weren’t aware of Government advice that everyone should take a vitamin D supplement during the winter months.
The UK Government recommends that everyone should consider taking a daily 10mcg vitamin D supplement from October to March.
The survey also found that while 28% people are fully aware of this recommendation, only 7% of all Brits admitted to actually taking them between October and March. 24% said they take Vitamin D supplements all year round.
This is slightly lower than 2021when 8% had mentioned that they take Vitamin D supplements between October and March and 26% had mentioned taking it all year round.
The percentage of people taking vitamin D supplements all year round also seems to have reduced from 26% in 2021 to 24% in2023.
Reasons cited for taking the supplements this year ranged from being advised by a healthcare professional (31%), to maintaining/improving general health (40%)and that they didn’t think they got enough vitamin D from their diet and sunlight (33%).
However, 44% people said they never take vitamin D supplements.
Reasons for avoiding intake included being unaware of its benefits (22%), preference to not take supplements (25%), lack of awareness around which supplement to take (13%) and affordability as they can be expensive (14%).
Commenting on the findings, Bridget Benelam, Nutrition Communications Manager, British Nutrition Foundation said: “The lack of awareness around the need for Vitamin D supplements at this time of year is concerning as Vitamin D is essential for keeping our bones and muscles healthy. While we can get some vitamin D from our diet, our main source is sunlight exposure on the skin. National surveys show that more than 1 in 10 of us have low levels of vitamin D in the blood so it is really important that we raise awareness of the need to consider supplements from October to March to maintain the levels we need for good health.”