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The UK will give free vitamin D supplements to more than 2.5 million “vulnerable people” during the winter, the government announced Saturday. The Department of Health and Social Care said nursing homes will automatically receive free supplies of vitamin D, which helps keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy, while people listed on the clinically extremely vulnerable list will receive a letter , inviting them to join for the direct delivery of free home supplies.
“Deliveries will be free, starting in January, and will provide supplements for 4 months for people during the winter months. The supplements will support overall health, especially bone and muscle health. This is particularly important this year as these individuals are more likely to have been indoors for extended periods due to measures being introduced to stop the spread of COVID-19, ”the department said in a statement.
British Secretary of State for Health and Welfare Matt Hancock said the government is taking steps to ensure uninterrupted delivery of supplements during the dark winter months for vulnerable people.
“Evidence of the link between vitamin D and COVID-19 is still being researched with the need for large-scale studies. Meanwhile, the Secretary of State has asked the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and Public Health England (PHE) to review the existing evidence. The government will publish its findings towards the end of the year, ”Hancock said.
The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) states that fewer foods contain vitamin D, and the human body produces the vitamin when in direct sunlight. As the Covid-19 pandemic-induced blockages have confined large numbers of people to their homes in the UK, the government has introduced the move to assist people with vitamin D deficiency.
Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at Public Health England (PHE), said vitamin D is essential for the human body and aids in bone and muscle health. “We recommend that everyone, especially the elderly, non-goers and those with dark skin, take a vitamin D supplement containing 10 micrograms (400 IU) every day,” he added.
A PHE warning also suggests a year-round vitamin D dosage, commonly available in supermarkets, pharmacies, and retailers for those at highest risk of deficiency. The suggested dosage is 10 mg every day between the months of October and March.
Although numerous studies have observed that vitamin D could have a positive impact in protecting against Covid-19, no concrete evidence has yet been found. Research on the same topic is currently underway and results are expected towards the end of the year, the official statement said.
On Friday, the UK recorded 16,022 new Covid-19 infections and 521 deaths, bringing the total to 1,589,301 cases and 57,551 deaths.
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