The doctor who died this year had wealth of information he shared with people to try to boost their health and fitness levels
As a diet expert Dr Michael Mosley had clear thoughts on what people should and should not be eating. He had expertise in weight loss as well as healthy-living and was happy to share his knowledge with others prior to his death this year.
During an ‘ask me anything’ session on social media site Mumsnet last year the author of Just One Thing fielded a range of questions. Answering one on the need to take supplements he had clear advice saying there’s one supplement he believes ‘almost everyone’ in the UK should be taking throughout the year.
A Mumsnet user queried: “A quick question from me: Is there a need to take supplements, or is it possible to get all necessary vitamins and minerals from one’s diet, and still keep a healthy weight? Also, to what extent is the need for supplements dependent on age, being vegetarian or vegan, or other factors?
“She continued: “I am late 60 and take a multi-vitamin, calcium, Vitamin D most days, plus zinc, magnesium, Vitamin B12 when I remember. (I eat mostly vegetables and protein, plus healthy fats and complex carbs.) Am I doing the right thing? Thank you!”
In his reply, Michael underscored the significance of vitamin D, especially for those living in the UK. “It is an interesting question,” he started.
While during the lighter months in the summer people are able to top up their Vitamin D levels through sunshine this was harder in the winter. He continued: “The NHS recommends that almost everyone in the UK should be taking vitamin D between October and March, and those with a darker skin should be taking it year round.”
Vitamin D is essential as it helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in our bodies. We get it from direct sunlight and a small number of foods like oily fish, red meat, liver, egg yolks and fortified foods
In the lighter and warmer months, the NHS says most people should be able to make enough vitamin D from the sun. However, this is not the case between October and early March.
The NHS says: “During the autumn and winter, you need to get vitamin D from your diet because the sun is not strong enough for the body to make vitamin D. But since it’s difficult for people to get enough vitamin D from food alone, everyone (including pregnant and breastfeeding women) should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D during the autumn and winter.”
NHS guidance also backed Michael’s response on a second matter as it said people with dark skin may not make enough vitamin D from sunlight, for example if you have an African, African-Caribbean or south Asian background.
Another group need to take extra care when it comes to getting enough vitamin D – vegans. Dr Mosley said: “Vegans need to take B12 because they may not be getting it from their diet, but people over the age of 50 can also become deficient because we get worse at absorbing it. Milk, eggs and salmon are good sources.”
He also said for older women, such as the one who asked the question, he emphasised the importance of sufficient calcium intake. He said: “Calcium is another mineral you need to be sure you are getting enough of because osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) becomes much more common as we get older. But if you supplement, don’t overdo it as it can cause stomach pain.”
