Pharmacist's vitamin D warning as some people are risking cancer - Surrey Live

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Oct 21, 2024

Pharmacist's vitamin D warning as some people are risking cancer - Surrey Live

The health expert has explained there is a right way to take vitamin D without risking your health or wasting time and money Sign up to our free email newsletter for daily roundups of the biggest

The health expert has explained there is a right way to take vitamin D without risking your health or wasting time and money

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A pharmacist has warned that millions of people may be taking their vitamin D tablets in the wrong way, reducing the impact of the vital supplements. People across the UK have started taking vitamin D on the advice of doctors and experts such as the late Michael Mosley.

Most of the body's vitamin D comes from the interaction between the skin and sunlight - but this is greatly reduced in autumn and winter when there is less bright sunlight and people stay indoors or wrap up warm.

Vitamin D is essential for bone health, a strong immune system, muscle function, good mood, reducing inflammation and heart health. But if you don't take supplements the right way you could be wasting your time and money - and well as risking your health.

Jana Abelovska, Superintendent Pharmacist at Click Pharmacy, said: “The best way to get vitamin D is through your diet, supported by supplements like tablets, capsules, gummies or sprays that you use directly into your mouth. Vitamin D is fat soluble, which means that it is absorbed into the body along with fat - this means taking your vitamin D supplement with food that contains some healthy fats, such as nuts or yoghurt, will help your body absorb it much better.

“The recommended daily amount of vitamin D for adults aged between 19 and 70 is 15 mcg which is 600 IU or International Units, a unit used to measure vitamins. It’s really common to take vitamin D supplements, especially as many of us will not get enough vitamin D from sunlight or food alone. Dietary sources of vitamin D include oily fish, mushrooms and eggs, as well as some fortified foods like breakfast cereals and milk or plant-based milk alternatives.

“It’s not healthy to try and get more vitamin D from the sun by going without sun protection. Also, our bodies make vitamin D in response to UVB radiation from the sun, but most glass blocks UVB rays - meaning that even if you’re sitting indoors in a ray of sunlight, it won’t boost your levels of the vitamin. Don’t use a tanning bed to try and boost your vitamin D - it won’t work as they produce much more UVA radiation than UVB, and it will increase the risk of skin cancer.

“Don’t take too much vitamin D. Because it’s a fat soluble vitamin it can build up in your body easier than other vitamins. Taking too much vitamin D long term can lead to hypercalcemia, an excess of calcium in the body, which can cause problems with your heart, kidneys and bones. 4,000 IU or 100 mcg is considered to be the upper limit of safe vitamin D supplementation.”