Can People Who Live In The UK And Ireland Get Enough Vitamin D

3 min read

Aug 4, 2025 10:00:00 AM

The British weather is globally infamous. However, many people are surprised to learn that its relationship to vitamin D is far more complex than whether or not the Gulf Stream is behaving itself. Today, we take a deep dive into why 1 in 20 UK adults are considered to be deficient, and why this is a statistic that should be taken very seriously.

Why Does Vitamin D Matter?

Vitamin D is one of the most crucial vitamins. It controls the body’s synthesis of calcium, and is therefore related to everything from bone development to cardiovascular health. Many people forget that calcium is a metal, and is therefore a conductor. As such, it is responsible for the electrical conduction and regulation inside the heart. Without enough vitamin D, the body gradually looses bone density, and the cardiovascular system can become too weak to carry out the necessary repairs. Very few people understand the critical link between vitamin D and calcium. As such, it is something of an unsung hero that is often overlooked by medical professionals.

How Much Vitamin D Does The Body Need?

It is recommended that people have up to 800 International Units (IU) of vitamin D per day. This can be quite a challenge. For instance, it is equivalent to ten boiled eggs or twenty pints of milk. This is, by anyone’s definition, an extreme diet. Sunshine is therefore generally a preferred method of acquiring vitamin D. However, scientists are still undecided about exactly how much is needed. Studies show that everything from your genetics to your age can influence how much ultraviolet light the body needs to get its unique vitamin D quota. In addition, internal factors can have an influence. For instance, liver or kidney disease can reduce the body’s ability to synthesise calciferol (Vit D). As such, someone could sun themselves on a beach in Marbella for a month and might still find themselves deficient.

Is It Possible To Get Enough Vitamin D In The UK?

The short answer to this is, unfortunately, no. The angle of the sun is rarely correct to get the benefit of the rays. And, when it is, most people are at work. Additionally, dozens of common ailments and pharmaceuticals interfere with vitamin D synthesisation. Obesity is a known barrier to vitamin D absorption, as are statins, corticosteroids, and gastrointestinal diseases. As the kidneys are central to the hydroxylation of vitamin D, almost all diuretics can be problematic. As such, it is not only the British weather that is at fault. Rather, diet, lifestyle, and medications all play crucial roles.

How Can Pharmacists Help To Prevent Vitamin D Deficiencies?

As pharmacists, we usually see the symptoms long after the cause. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. Educating customers on the vital role of vitamin D can be helpful in potentially preventing a wide range of issues. Equally, techniques such as pro-active vitamin deficiency testing can be valuable. For instance, if a home testing kit shows someone that their vitamin D is low, they can take action. This may alert someone to a looming problem, enabling it to be caught before it escalates into a life-changing issue. The types of symptoms to look for include unexplained tiredness, hair loss, and wounds that don’t heal. All of these can suggest that the body’s calcium is becoming deregulated, and that a lack of vitamin D may be the cause.

What Next?

Pro-testing is often the best way of stopping minor issues from spiralling into serious problems. Due to the lack of sunlight, people in the UK are particularly at risk. However, it varies from person to person, so individual monitoring is advisable. For more advice about how we can support you, please contact us on 02825 685385 to find out about your local Suresign self-test stockists. If you own or manage a pharmacy and are interested in selling our range, please get in touch!