UK risk of vitamin D deficiency

The National Diet and Nutrition Survey, published in May 2014, found evidence of an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency in both adults and children in the UK,⁴ while another study has shown over 50% of the UK adult population will be vitamin D insufficient in winter and spring.⁵

Deficiencies in vitamin D can lead to potentially serious consequences, such as:

• Rickets in children - characterised by a failure of bone tissue to properly mineralise, resulting in skeletal deformities and soft bones⁶
• Osteomalacia in adults - characterised by weak muscles and bones,⁷ where the mineralisation of bones does not occur properly, resulting in softer bones that are more prone to bending and cracking.⁸

Customers may not be aware of these risks related to vitamin D insufficiency, therefore your role as a healthcare professional is of paramount importance in educating and advising them on appropriate actions.