What is the best way to obtain vitamin D

This summer, individuals in the UK should go outside for a few minutes each day in order to top up their vitamin D levels, according to the fifth Sunlight Campaign from the National Osteoporosis Society. The National Osteoporosis Society conducted a survey of 600 people in the UK and found that: 62% of respondents knew that vitamin D is vital to keep bone healthy 200 respondents reported that the best way to get vitamin D is by going outside in the sun without sunscreen 200 respondents believed you should go outside with sunscreen Although sunscreen is needed to protect the skin from the suns harmful rays, the most effective way to get vitamin D is by going outside for a few minutes each day without sunscreen. However, individuals with sensitive skin should take care not to burn. Dr Helen Macdonald, Chair of the National Osteoporosis Society's Nutrition and Lifestyle Forum, explained: "Vitamin D has been long known to improve bone health, by helping our bodies process calcium effectively - it is essential for bone and muscle health as it promotes calcium absorption from our food. Our bones need the added mineral to make them strong and supportive; and vitamin D may play an important role in muscle function. We are encouraged by these survey results, but clearly there is a long way to go in improving awareness of vitamin D." Siobhan Hallmark, spokeswoman for the National Osteoporosis Society explained: "We have run the Sunlight Campaign for the past five years to improve awareness of vitamin D and bone health and we're pleased that our latest survey shows that the public understanding is definitely improving. Over 37% of people we questioned this year understood that you need to head outside without sunscreen in order to obtain your vitamin D, compared to only 6% of respondents three years ago, but there is still a lot of confusion and a lot of people still think that you should wear sunscreen. It is worrying that this uncertainty could mean that a lot of people are not getting the vitamin D they need, and could be putting themselves at risk of weaker bones." Although only a small amount of vitamin D comes from food sources, nearly 50% of respondents stated that they didn't need to take a vitamin D supplement because they ate a healthy balanced diet. Even though a a healthy balanced diet is vital for all-round health, it is important that we obtain and maintain vitamin D levels through sunlight. Baroness Cumberlege, Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Osteoporosis Group, explained: "The dangers of over-exposure to the summer sun are well known - however this inquiry highlights how important it is to get enough vitamin D through small, safe amounts of direct summer sunlight."