Vitamin D aka the sunshine vitamin is a vital nutrient essential for many functions in our body including maintaining the health of our bones, teeth, muscles and immune system.

As a rule of thumb, being outside for 15-20 minutes during midday sun with the arms and legs exposed and no sunscreen two to three times a week should be enough to keep our vitamin D levels adequate. Those with dark skin tones may require slightly longer periods of sunlight to achieve adequate blood levels.

Prolonged exposure to sunlight does not lead to excess production as the body has mechanisms to destroy excess vitamin D and it can lead to skin cancer. In essence, you can’t overdose on vitamin D production through exposure to sunlight but you will increase your risk of sun damage and skin cancer.

Government guidance suggests that most if not all people in the UK should consider a vitamin D supplement during the winter months when there is less sunlight.

This food supplement should not be used as a substitute for a balanced and varied diet and a healthy lifestyle.