British Nutrition Foundation raises alarm about drop in vitamin D supplement awareness

30 Oct 2023 --- The latest vitamin D survey by the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) shows that at least half of the British population is unaware of the UK government’s guidelines for vitamin D supplements. 

“Taking a vitamin D supplement is a relatively easy and inexpensive way to support bone and muscle health and it’s a good idea for all of us to consider it. We can find ways to build taking our vitamin D supplement into a daily routine, for example, taking it just after you brush your teeth in the morning,” Bridget Benelam, nutrition scientist at the BNF, tells Nutrition Insight.

The survey respondents were unaware of the recommendation, indicating that awareness levels about vitamin supplementation were the same as the previous year. This is worrying to the BNF because people should consider taking a daily 10 mcg vitamin D supplement from October to March to keep bones and muscles functioning optimally. Lack of sunlight during those months can lead to deficiency. 

Mineral deficiency risk
In 2021, 49% of the respondents claimed they were unaware of the daily 10mcg recommendation. This year, 28% said they were “fully aware,” while 7% say they took vitamin D between October and March and 24% took these supplements all year round. The figure for people who took vitamin D supplements between October and March was 8% in 2021 and 26% took it the whole year.The results of the BNF’s latest survey show that awareness of vitamin D supplementation has dropped in Britain, raising concerns about disease prevention measures. 

Benelam continues: “Vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults — in both cases, the lack of vitamin D means that bones cannot absorb the minerals they need and become soft as a result. Low levels of vitamin D may not result in deficiency disease but can still impact bone and muscle health, which is a particular concern for preventing falls and fractures in older people.”

A few of the reasons cited for taking vitamin D supplements were that they were advised by a healthcare professional (31%), maintaining general health (40%) or doing so because the respondents didn’t think they got enough vitamin D from their diet and sunlight (33%).

In contrast, 44% of respondents claimed they never take vitamin D supplements, which is a considerable increase from 39% in 2021. A few of the reasons cited were being unaware of its benefits (22%), preferring not to take supplements (25%), lack of awareness around which supplement to take (13%) and that vitamin D supplements are expensive (14%).

“It’s also important for those who may be at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency to be aware. This includes people who don’t get out in the sunshine, for example, older people who are housebound, people who cover most of their skin for religious or cultural reasons and people from South Asian, Middle Eastern and African or Caribbean backgrounds. Those at higher risk of deficiency should take a vitamin D supplement all year round,” says Benelam.

One in 10 are deficient
The BNF conducts surveys to look at awareness around vitamin D supplements and communicates this to the public to raise awareness of the UK supplement recommendations.The risk of diseases such as long COVID or diabetes increase significantly with vitamin D deficiency.

“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,” Benelam says.

“National surveys show that more than one 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.”

For example, adults with prediabetes who take vitamin D supplements are 15% less likely to develop diabetes, according to a review of three clinical trials published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Meanwhile, researchers from the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital in Italy found that long COVID risk increases when vitamin D levels are low.

By Inga de Jong