As per the government’s nutrition advisers, people should take vitamin D tablets so that they have healthy bones. As per the United Kingdom’s independent Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition, it is mandatory to have 10 microgram dietary supplement of vitamin D above the age of one year.

Last week, the committee announced the recommendation. In 2014, the vitamin supplement industry was worth around $36.7 billion. It is said the number is expected to increase with time.

According to the Institute of Medicine, people should have a daily dose of 600 international units or 15 micrograms on vitamin D. Founder of the vitamin D Council, Dr. John Cannell, was of the view that the natural levels for people who are exposed to the sun for most of their day are around 5,000 to 10,000 IUs.

Owing to the sun damage caused to people has led them to restrict their time outdoors and this has limited their natural ability to produce vitamin D in their skin. Cannell was of the view that either one can taken vitamin D from sunlight or from supplement.

Due to the deficiency in the nutrient, person can suffer from poor health like increased risk of heart disease, cancer and osteoporosis. Low vitamin D is also considered to be the result of poor health.

“Since it is hard to achieve (safe intake) from natural food sources alone, it is recommended that consideration is given to strategies for the UK population to achieve the recommended nutrient intake”, stated the guidelines.