“I´ve been diagnosed with extremely low levels of Vitamin D and now have been told I need to go on various Vitamin D supplements and possibly medication in the future. Is this the only solution or do you recommend something else?” This questions was submitted by Rachael in the UK via our private MSS Facebook Group.
For those who live in UK, Ireland and other countries of similar climate having a Vitamin D deficiency is possible but also should still be near impossible. It is true that it is easier to avoid this when living like I do in Lanzarote or if you live in southern Spain or France or in California but lifestyle habits have a big part to play in whether it is possible for you to have a Vitamin D deficiency or not.
The modern lifestyle has made it much more likely especially when you live in countries like UK and Ireland. One has limited exposure to sunlight. Most people get up and hop in a car or nearby public transport. Get to work and are indoors all day. Work through lunch or go to an indoor restaurant. Then finish work, hop in car or public transport and get home and stay inside for the night. Where is the exposure to sunlight and Vitamin D? Now some argue that you can´t get Vitamin D in Ireland and UK. That is rubbish. The sun is in the sky all the time throughout the day and the rays get through whether it is cloudy or not. They just may not be as strong as when clear skies in Lanzarote. So the key is getting outside whenever you can. Farmers for instance would never have a Vitamin D deficiency as they are outdoors most of the day. So start spending more time outside going for walks or eating lunch in the park and you should have very little chance of a Vitamin D deficiency.