VITAMIN D, the sunshine vitamin, is now recommended as a supplement for everyone in the UK during winter because there is not enough from the sun.
The vitamin helps the body absorb and retain calcium and phosphorus, which are critical for building bone.
It can also reduce cancer cell growth, help control infections and reduce inflammation.
Researchers say vitamin D3 bolsters the immune system better than D2.
Jane Atkinson looks at how to get your dose.
Vitamin D gummies
CONVENIENT, tasty and high strength.
I don’t mind taking pills and potions but when I had Covid and felt dreadful these are the only things I could cope with having.
It’s just like having a really refreshing blackcurrant sweet.
Recommendations suggest consuming 10-20mcg of vitamin D per day.
However, people who need more vitamin D can safely consume 25-100mcg daily.
Any more is not advised, as it is not linked to any extra health benefits.
These gummies from Healthspan have a healthy 25mcg dose of vitamin D3.
They do contain some sweetener and flavourings but there is no added sugar and they are vegan friendly.
Children over five can take one a day, and adults can double up.
(£8.95 for 30, healthspan.co.uk)
A shot for the dark
MOJU’s Vitamin D Shots Dosing Bottle contains apple, orange (20 per cent), lemon, ginger root (5 per cent), turmeric root (2 per cent), vitamin D3 from seaweed (0.001 per cent) – which is 20 micrograms of vitamin D3 per shot.
This is an easy boost and tastes great.
Fruity with a ginger and turmeric warm kick – and there are no added sugars, sweeteners, synthetic vitamins, artificial flavourings, colourings or preservatives.
The colour of the liquid is vividly bright, but the ingredients are all natural.
The colour comes from oranges and turmeric.
This comes in convenient one shot bottles too.
Each 240ml bottle contains a week of 60ml shots which can be kept in the fridge and used within a week or frozen.
A great way to start the day. (£5.95 for 420ml, waitrose.com).
Vitimin D tablets
IF you like a simple pill with a high dose of vitamin D3 these ones are a good shout.
The Fresh Fitness Food Supplements vitamin D3 capsules (50mcg) source the vitamin from lichen, a symbiosis between fungi and algae, which makes it animal-free, sustainable and eco-friendly.
Unlike some other pills these are made in the UK under strict quality control measures.
Around 20 million of us take a daily supplement – usually in tablet form.
But even people who find tablets hard to swallow will be able to take these dinky pills.
They have a “subscribe and save’”;so you don’t forget to stock up. (£20 for 60 tablets freshfitnessfood.com).
