Vitamin D is produced by the body in response to skin being exposed to sunlight. It is also occurs naturally in a few foods including some fish, fish liver oils, and egg yolks and in fortified dairy and grain products. The vitamin is essential for strong bones, because it helps the body use calcium from the diet. Traditionally, vitamin D deficiency has been associated with rickets, a disease in which the bone tissue doesn’t properly mineralise, leading to soft bones and skeletal deformities. If you are feeling extremely tired no matter how much sleep you get it could be a symptom of vitamin D deficiency.

Most people feel tired at some point if they aren’t getting enough sleep, or if they’re spending a lot of time at work.

But, your fatigue could be caused by a vitamin D deficiency if you’re still feeling tired despite having plenty of sleep, said medical website Medical News Today.

It’s likely to be caused by the condition if it’s accompanied by muscle weakness and chronic pain, it added. “Vitamin D deficiency occurs when a person either does not consume enough vitamin D or when their body cannot absorb and metabolise the vitamin D they do consume,” it said.

“Many people with a vitamin D deficiency may have no symptoms or may go many years without experiencing symptoms.

“People who experience symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, or who have unexplained illnesses or nutritional deficiencies, should request a test for vitamin D deficiency.

“Some symptoms of a deficit in vitamin D include exhaustion, even with enough sleep.” Exhaustion, or feeling tired all the time, is one of the most common reasons for people to see their GP, added the NHS.

When it comes to how much vitamin D that is needed, it has been recommended that adults and children typically need 10 micrograms of vitamin D per day.

But babies aged one and under only need between 8.5mg and 10mg.

The easiest way to ensure you are topped up with your vitamin D levels, a simple 20 minute walk is all that is needed.

This will ensure you have adequate levels of vitamin D which is needed for virtually every cell in the body.

Since it’s difficult for people to get enough vitamin D from food alone, everyone should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D

NHS

How much vitamin D is produced from sunlight depends on the time of day, where you lie in the world and the colour of your skin.

During the autumn and winter months, everyone should aim to eat more vitamin D-rich foods such as oily fish, red meat, egg yolks and some fortified drinks.

The NHS said: “Since it’s difficult for people to get enough vitamin D from food alone, everyone should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D.”

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