Experts Emphasize the Importance of Taking Vitamin D Supplements During Winter

Nutrition and health experts agree that taking dietary supplements is the best way to maintain adequate levels of vitamin D in the body, especially during the winter months when sun exposure is limited.

This vitamin is one of the most essential for the body’s proper functioning. It helps regulate calcium and phosphate levels and plays a key role in maintaining bone health and mood. The UK National Health Service (NHS) and several studies have linked vitamin D deficiency to conditions such as anxiety, depression, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Nutritionist Maz Packham explains that vitamin D is produced in the skin in response to ultraviolet rays. Therefore, lack of sunlight is the main cause of deficiency, along with other factors such as aging and darker skin tones.

Experts also note that people with diabetes or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are more prone to deficiency, as vitamin D plays a role in hormonal balance. According to nutritional therapist Eve Kalinic, early signs of deficiency include increased susceptibility to infections and viruses, bone pain, muscle weakness, persistent fatigue, and mood disorders.

Although fatty fish and mushrooms can provide part of the daily requirement, experts agree that supplements are the most effective solution during winter. They stress, however, the importance of getting a blood test first to accurately assess vitamin D levels, followed by consulting a doctor to determine the appropriate dosage.

Finally, they warn that excessive supplement intake can be harmful, as vitamin D is fat-soluble and can build up in the body to toxic levels over time.