The Met Office has reported that this year's summer was the coldest in a decade. According to its latest Seasonal Assessment report , the average temperature for summer 2024 was just 14.3C, marking it as the lowest since 2015.
This drop in temperature could lead to lower levels of essential vitamin D among Britons, particularly as winter draws near. Health experts have issued a warning, advising people in the UK to monitor their vitamin D levels and consider supplements if necessary. Vitamin D is crucial for regulating calcium and phosphate, which are vital for healthy bones, teeth, and muscles.
The NHS advises that most individuals should be able to synthesise all the vitamin D they need from late March through September . Dr Dave Nichols, an NHS GP and resident doctor at MyHealthChecked , has highlighted the importance of being aware of vitamin D deficiency signs, reports Wales Online . He commented: "For those who do develop symptoms, the first thing they may notice may be fatigue or tiredness.
"Vitamin D plays a key role in bone formation, so people may present with joint aches or pains, and in some cases fractures. Other symptoms include muscle aches or spasms, pins and needles sensation in the hands and feet, twitching, sleep disturbance or hair loss. "More serious symptoms include muscle weakness and mood changes including depression, with recent work also highlighting that vitamin D may have a neuroprotective effect.
Some studies have highlighted that low vitamin D le.