NHS recommend vitamin D supplements during autumn and winter because the UK does not get enough sunlight to produce it naturally.Ben Hurst and Ambarish Awale Trainee Trends, Showbiz and Lifestyle Writer
23:00, 11 Feb 2026
The NHS warns that taking too much vitamin D for a long time can cause a dangerous condition(Image: Getty Images)
The NHS has issued a warning to people taking vitamin D supplements, cautioning that excessive intake over long periods could trigger a potentially fatal condition affecting the heart and kidneys.
Health authorities recommend vitamin D supplements, particularly during autumn and winter when sunlight in the UK is insufficient. The NHS states: “From October to March we can’t make enough vitamin D from sunlight.
“To keep bones and muscles healthy, it’s best to take a daily 10 microgram supplement of vitamin D. You can get vitamin D from most pharmacies and retailers.”
Vitamin D tablets are widely available and inexpensive, with some packs costing less than 2p per day. The nutrient has also been linked to brain health. Research conducted in France found that people with vitamin D levels below 50 nmol/L were almost three times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
The NHS says taking a daily 10 microgram vitamin D supplement helps keep bones and muscles healthy(Image: Getty Images)
Government guidance advises that everyone should consider taking a daily supplement during autumn and winter. Those at higher risk of deficiency, all children aged one to four, and babies who consume less than 500ml of infant formula a day are advised to take supplements throughout the year.
However, pharmacists and the NHS stress that taking too much vitamin D can be dangerous. The health service warns: “Taking too many vitamin D supplements over a long period of time can cause too much calcium to build up in the body (hypercalcaemia). This can weaken the bones and damage the kidneys and the heart.”
The NHS sets clear limits on safe intake. It advises: “If you choose to take vitamin D supplements, 10 micrograms a day will be enough for most people. Do not take more than 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) of vitamin D a day as it could be harmful. This applies to adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women and the elderly, and children aged 11 to 17 years.
“Youngsters aged 1 to 10 years shouldn’t have more than 50 micrograms (2,000 IU) daily. Babies under 12 months shouldn’t have more than 25 micrograms (1,000 IU) daily.”
The NHS also cautions that some people may require tailored advice. It adds: “Some people have medical conditions that mean they may not be able to safely take as much. If in doubt, you should consult your doctor.
“You cannot overdose on vitamin D through exposure to sunlight. But always remember to cover up or protect your skin if you’re out in the sun for long periods to reduce the risk of skin damage and skin cancer.”
Vitamin D plays a crucial role in regulating calcium and phosphate in the body. According to the NHS: “Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body.
“These nutrients are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children, and bone pain caused by a condition called osteomalacia in adults.”
The late broadcaster and health campaigner Dr Michael Mosley, who died in 2024, was a supporter of supplementation.
He said: “I take 25 mcg (1,000 IU), which is within the limits of what’s considered safe (anything under 100 mcg a day for adults or 50 mcg for children, according to the NHS) but closer to the sort of doses studies show you need to take to ward off infections, cancers, and maybe even dementia.”
For NHS advice on Vitamin D click here.
