The best time of day to take vitamin D supplement for overall wellbeing
Nutritional specialist Kate Cook shared her knowledge on the mighty vitamin D supplement.
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Kate Cook, founder of BE Sensational at 60, revealed the best time to take a vitamin D supplement, how much to take, and if you really need it.
The nutritional therapist said: "If you are considering supplementing vitamin D, it is best taken with a meal with fat in it, as this aids absorption."
Cook explained: "Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, so [taking it at] any time of day is fine as long as you get into a regular habit."
There is some evidence, however, that suggests vitamin D could suppress the sleep hormone melatonin, said Kate; thus, supplementation might be better in the morning.
How much vitamin D should you take?
Cook said the general recommendation, as agreed by the NHS, is 400IU daily, but she is a supporter of "around 1,000IU daily".
People who take vitamin D would benefit from additional nutrients, such as magnesium.
"Nutrients generally like to work together synergistically," said Cook.
Cook takes vitamin D daily, but says as the body stores the vitamin, if she forgets to take the supplement one day, "it's not a disaster!".
While vitamin D can be created from the sun's rays landing on the skin, during the autumn and winter in the UK, this is not easily achieved.
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Cook explained: "In the northern hemisphere, the sun is too low in the sky for vitamin D to be produced on our skin.
"Therefore, the only way meaningfully to raise your vitamin D levels is through supplementation."
People who want to take supplements, however, are best advised to speak to their healthcare professional first, such as a pharmacist or doctor.
Government advice is that everyone should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter.
This means that from October to early March, every adult in the UK is recommended to take daily vitamin D supplementation.
The ideal amount is 400IU, the NHS stresses, as this "will be enough for most people".
There is a limit, however, as too much vitamin D can cause too much calcium build-up, leading to kidney damage.
The absolute maximum amount of vitamin D a person should take is 4,000IU daily.