Meanwhile, children aged up to four should take supplements each day all year round, as should babies under one year - unless they already consume this in infant formula. Prof Peter Selby, at the University of Manchester, welcomed the advice.
He said: "In particular, it dispels any doubt of the place of vitamin D in the maintenance of bone health and should ensure that all people will now be encouraged to receive vitamin D to reduce their risk of bone disease and fracture." Previous advice that recommended top-up daily supplements for a few at-risk groups, including pregnant or breastfeeding women, and over-65s, still stands.
For example, people whose skin has little exposure to the sun, or who always cover their skin to go outside, should take the supplements throughout the year. Black and Asian people should also consider the supplements all year round. Dr Louis Levy, head of nutrition science at Public Health England, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "This is a change in advice, previously we have said that babies from six months to five years should have a supplement and only those people at risk of deficiency should take a supplement.
"Previously we felt that everybody would get enough from the sunlight. "This is new advice based on evidence looked at over the last five years." He said those who apply sunscreen in the way the manufacturer recommended would not make enough vitamin D. It also looked at studies suggesting Vitamin D levels might have an impact on cancers, cardiovascular disease and multiple sclerosis but found there was insufficient evidence to draw any firm conclusions.
"When you go out, you do need to have short bursts without sunscreen and make sure that you don't get sunburnt," he said. NHS England says vitamin D supplements are available free of charge for low-income families, through the Healthy Start scheme. Separately, health officials in Scotland and Northern Ireland say they have updated their guidance in line with the new recommendations, but only for people aged over six months. They are currently considering whether to extend the advice to babies from birth. SACN reviewed a growing body of evidence linking vitamin D to bone and muscle health.
Comments