[hlnx1]

Vitamin D is made in the skin from sunlight, so status often drops in winter, especially at higher latitudes, for indoor sports, and for people with darker skin or who cover up.

Points that are fairly well accepted:

• Low vitamin D is linked with poorer bone health, and deficiency is worth correcting in anyone, athlete or not
• A blood test (25-hydroxyvitamin D) is the only way to know your actual status
• Many health bodies suggest a modest daily supplement during the darker months; typical doses are around 400-2000 IU, depending on country guidance and status
• Taking very high doses without testing is not a good idea; vitamin D can build up and become harmful

More detail: micronutrients, iron and vitamin D.

Have you ever had your vitamin D checked, and did it change what you do?

[hlnx1]

A simple routine many athletes follow: test at the end of summer and again in late winter if possible. That shows you how much your level drops and whether your supplement is doing anything.

Ask your doctor to interpret the result; the cut-offs for “insufficient” and “deficient” differ slightly between countries.

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