by Louise-Anne Geddes, Mindful Mum, 24th January 2012

According to the BBC, Vitamin D supplements are recommended for those at risk of deficiency, which includes pregnant and breastfeeding women, children under five and the elderly.  However, 74% of parents know very little or nothing about them.

Related problems

Jacobs told the BBC in his interview that ‘we see about one case of rickets a month in our hospital, but that’s the very severe end of the disease.  There are many other children who have less severe problems – muscle weakness, delay in walking, bone pains – and research indicates that in many parts of the country the majority of children have a low level of Vitamin D’.

Review

The Chief Medical Officer  Professor Dame Sally Davies said the Government would be reviewing the issue:

“Many health professionals such as midwives, GPs and nurses give advice on supplements, and it is crucial they continue to offer this advice as part of routine consultations and ensure disadvantaged families have access to free vitamin supplements through our Healthy Start scheme.  It is important to raise awareness of this issue and I will be contacting health professionals on the need to prescribe and recommend vitamin D supplements to at-risk groups. The Department of Health has also asked the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition to review the important issue of current dietary recommendations on vitamin D.”

Further Information and Support

More information on foods containing Vitamin D can be found in Charlotte Stirling-Reed’s article Flu fighting foods. NHS Choices: Vitamins and minerals also provides guidance and advice on sources of Vitamin D (which includes fatty fish and tomatoes).The Department of Health also provides their recommendations for how much vitamin D is needed in their new leaflet which can be downloaded from Vitamin D: An essential nutrient for all.

Source: Press Association, 24^th January 2012

Photography: Joost J Bakker @Flickr