NHS doctor urges all Brits to take one vitamin from October to fight bugs

A doctor has urged all Brits to start taking a vitamin supplement to help fight bugs and viruses throughout the autumn and winter months. NHS GP Doctor Shireen recently told people it's essential to take the vitamin as the weather turns colder, and we fail to get as much of it as we need at this time of year.

According to the expert, who often shares handy health advice on TikTok, it's something a lot of people need to know about, as it's crucial to help boost your immune system during autumn and winter. If you want to try and fight off as many bugs and viruses as possible, it's something you may want to think about sooner rather than later.

There are many benefits to adding the supplement to your diet, including helping to fight bugs. However, if you're worried about an illness you have, there are some cold and flu symptoms you shouldn't ignore.

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Doctor Shireen said: "There is one supplement that everybody without question needs to be taking. We are nearly in October, [and] from October to March the NHS guidelines is everyone should be taking vitamin D.

"We get most of our vitamin D from the sun and, during the winter months, the daylight hours are too short so, even if you're outside all day, you're not getting enough exposure to the sun to be getting enough vitamin D.

"You have to just take it. That is everybody. A lack of vitamin D reduces your immunity, so where we are now, getting all these winter bugs, you're going to be much more likely to get sick."

Speaking about vitamin D deficiency, she added: "It also has really bad side effects, so you might very tired, aches, pains and it is literally so prevalent in this country because so many people just don't realise."

If you spend a lot of time indoors, or avoid the sun, the doctor said it's also wise to take the supplement all year around, as vitamin D is so important. When you don't get it from the sun, she said you need to get it from somewhere else.

The video has been viewed hundreds of times since it was shared, and dozens of people were quick to comment. They had all sorts of thoughts to share.

Little you may know, vitamin D is an essential nutrient that works to aid healthy bones, teeth and muscles by aiding the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. As well as being produced by the skin upon exposure to sunlight, it can also be obtained from specific foods, including oily fish and fortified products or supplements.

A deficiency in vitamin D can cause bone problems like rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. In addition, it can also impact immune function.

The NHS website states: "Government advice is that everyone should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter. People at high risk of not getting enough vitamin D, all children aged one to four and all babies (unless they're having more than 500ml of infant formula a day) should take a daily supplement throughout the year.

"There have been some reports about vitamin D reducing the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19), but there is currently not enough evidence to support taking vitamin D solely to prevent or treat COVID-19.

"During the autumn and winter, you need to get vitamin D from your diet because the sun is not strong enough for the body to make vitamin D. But, since it's difficult for people to get enough vitamin D from food alone, everyone (including pregnant and breastfeeding women) should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D during the autumn and winter.

"Between late March or early April to the end of September, most people can make all the vitamin D they need through sunlight on their skin and from a balanced diet. You may choose not to take a vitamin D supplement during these months."

More information about vitamin D can be found on the NHS website. Anyone concerned about taking a supplement should speak to their GP before making any changes.