Many people do not realise that feeling tired, worn out or exhausted can be a symptom of a common illness. Lacking energy - especially during winter months - is not uncommon, but there is sometimes an actual reason behind it which is not just psychological.
It is currently Sun Awareness Week where plenty of emphasis is on people taking care with the harm, especially skin cancer, that can be caused by too much exposure to rays. But at the same time a lack of sunshine can lead to vitamin D deficiency which typically leads to people being tired and under the weather.
Similarly, by taking vitamin D tablets it can boost people’s resistance to common colds and boost their energy. Long-term vitamin D deficiency can reduce your ability to carry out day-to-day tasks and could make it dangerous for you to drive, the Mirror writes.
The NHS advises that everyone should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter. Essentially, low levels of vitamin D causes bone problems, weakened muscle strength and reduced functioning across the body.
The NHS states: “Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. These nutrients are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy.
"A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children, and bone pain caused by a condition called osteomalacia in adults. Government advice is that everyone should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter.
"People at high risk of not getting enough vitamin D, all children aged one to four, and all babies (unless they're having more than 500ml of infant formula a day) should take a daily supplement throughout the year.”
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Vitamin D is calculated by micrograms and sometimes written with the Greek symbol μ followed by the letter g (μg). Make sure to check how the amount of vitamin D is written on labels because it can vary.
Typically, the amount of vitamin D is expressed as International Units (IU). One microgram of vitamin D is equal to 40 IU. So, 10 micrograms of vitamin D is the same as 400 IU.
But from about late March to the end of September, most people should be able to make all the vitamin D they need from sunlight - as the body creates vitamin from direct sunlight on the skin when outdoors.
