No, sunlight doesn’t always top up your vitamin D levels

Most of us think we can top up our vitamin D levels during those long sunny summer days—but, for many, that’s a myth.

Their levels remain dangerously low throughout the year, say researchers from Newcastle University. People living in northern regions, where the sun can be weaker, and those from an ethnic background and with dark skin are especially vulnerable. Having inadequate levels increases the risk of bone disease and a range of chronic health problems.

The researchers focused on two groups: the elderly who were 65 years and older and those from an ethnic background. They found that vitamin D insufficiency was common in both groups; more than half of the older adults had dangerously low levels, while the proportion was even higher among participants from ethnic backgrounds.

Their levels didn’t rise during the summer months, which questions the assumption that our vitamin D stores naturally rise when people are exposed to sunlight.

Instead, taking vitamin supplements and eating a richer vitamin D diet—eggs and oily fish such as salmon and sardines are good sources—is vital for people who aren’t getting enough strong sunshine or are from ethnic backgrounds, the researchers say.