With the UK's shorter days and longer nights stretching from October through to March, most of us simply aren't getting enough vitamin D. It's often called 'the sunshine vitamin' because sunlight is our main source of it, but Britain's winter climate makes that tricky.
Now, a GP has highlighted four subtle warning signs that your body might be running low on this essential nutrient.
Dr Asiya Maula, a GP and Director of The Health Suite, said: "Vitamin D plays a crucial role in supporting bone health, immunity and overall wellbeing. But the signs you are lacking may be quite subtle and can be easy to dismiss."
She explained that many patients are taken aback when they discover symptoms they've been dealing with for months, like muscle fatigue and aches, could actually be down to vitamin D levels.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
Low mood and brain fog are symptoms of vitamin D deficiency
|GETTY
Dr Maula said: "Because the signs are non-specific, people often attribute them to stress, ageing or seasonal aches and pains. A simple blood test can provide clarity on what your body may be missing."
The first telltale sign is persistent fatigue. Feeling tired occasionally is perfectly normal, but constantly feeling exhausted and run down could signal a problem.
The second indicator is low mood and brain fog. Vitamin D is connected to serotonin production, meaning a deficiency can quietly affect your mood, especially during darker months.
Dr Maula continued: "Severe cases of vitamin D deficiency can lead to rickets in children and a condition called osteomalacia, which causes bone pain in adults."
The third sign is bone pain, which shouldn't be ignored. If you've started experiencing discomfort in your bones, it's worth speaking to your GP promptly, as various factors could be responsible.
The fourth warning sign is muscle weakness. General aches, particularly around the lower back, hips or legs, can be an early indicator that vitamin D levels aren't where they should be.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
The NHS advises that children aged one to four, plus babies not receiving more than 500ml of infant formula daily, should take supplements year-round.
For everyone else, the NHS recommends considering a daily vitamin D supplement during autumn and winter.
Adults are advised to take vitamin D supplements during autumn and winter
|GETTY
Dr Maula said: "The NHS recommends all adults consider taking a vitamin D supplement during autumn and winter, so that's a good place to start."
Food can also help boost your levels. Fatty fish like salmon, tuna and mackerel are brilliant sources, along with egg yolks, red meat and fortified products such as certain breakfast cereals.
Dr Maula said: "There can be many reasons why muscles feel weaker, or people experience general aches and pains. That's why it's a really good idea to see your doctor and discuss your symptoms as soon as possible to find the underlying cause."
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter