News that medics are recommending that all people in the UK should consider taking vitamin D supplements, especially over the period October to April (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-36846894). Vitamin D is basically a hormone produced under the skin when exposed to UV light. It is important in terms of regulating the health of bones, teeth and muscle (a severe, chronic deficiency causes Rickets) by its effects on the uptake and retention of calcium ion. The trouble is, that if you live in northerly locations, the sun does not provide enough UV in the winter months to stimulate production of the hormone (this is especially true if you rarely go outside or routinely cover up). The alternative is to get your vitamin D in the diet (from oily fish, eggs and 'added-to' cereals). It is argued that people may not always achieve a sufficient intake of vitamine D by this route and should consider popping the pills. An alternative, for some, might be to put in place special lamps in houses and work places that produce UV (this is done for captive reptiles in some zoos). It does seem to be rather a large change to advocate.
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