Doctor issues warning to anyone who takes Vitamin D

After a long, hot summer, many of us will be excited to cosy up inside while the cold weather drags on.

From hot chocolate and fluffy socks to knitted jumpers and comfort food, it's no surprise why autumn is many people's favourite season.

However, for all its benefits, one thing autumn doesn't have bouts of is sunshine and, therefore, we're left with some seriously depleted vitamin D levels.

Because of this, many of us will no doubt be stocking up on vitamin D supplements to bridge that gap - but there's one warning we need to be mindful of before we start.

Dr Hass, renowned doctor, founder and lead injector at Dr Hass Clinic, has since explained exclusively to Tyla all we need to know about taking vitamin D in the chillier months.

Many of us will no doubt be stocking up on vitamin D now that we're in autumn (Getty Stock Images)

What is vitamin D and why do we need it?

Dr Hass explains that vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that has 'many important roles' in the body.

"It helps to absorb calcium and phosphate, which are essential for maintaining healthy bones and teeth, as well as contributing to normal muscle and immune system function," he says.

Sunlight is our main source of vitamin D, as our skin produces vitamin D when it's exposed to UVB rays, but you can also get it from certain foods and supplements.

Many people, especially in the UK, are deficient in Vitamin D primarily due to a lack of sunlight exposure (Getty Stock Images)

Why do we specifically need vitamin D now?

"Many people, especially in the UK, are deficient in Vitamin D primarily due to a lack of sunlight exposure, especially in autumn and winter," Dr Hass notes.

The expert outlines that autumn is an important time to start thinking about vitamin D because, in the UK, there is a relatively short window during which our skin can produce enough vitamin D from sunlight.

He adds: "By around October, sunlight in the UK generally isn't strong enough for our skin to produce sufficient vitamin D.

"It's worth thinking about supplementing vitamin D before winter rather than waiting until you're feeling run down."

What are the benefits of taking vitamin D in autumn?

It's good to take vitamin D during autumn so that you can prepare and have adequate levels during the winter, when our bodies cannot make enough from the sunlight.

Dr Hass explains that colds and flus are more common in the winter as well, so your immune system must be functioning well, which vitamin D can help with.

It's good to take vitamin D during autumn so that you can prepare and have adequate levels during the winter (Getty Stock Images)

Are there any risks when it comes to taking vitamin D?

"Vitamin D is generally well tolerated in healthy adults, but problems can occur if doses are too high, taken incorrectly, or unsuitable for the person," Dr Hass warns.

He says that the early warning signs of too much vitamin D are often because of excess calcium levels (hypercalcaemia) and can include persistent nausea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, excessive thirst, frequent urination, headaches, dizziness and fatigue.

The expert continues: "You can also experience muscle weakness, joint aches, or worsening bone pain. In more severe cases, people could experience palpitations, confusion, kidney stones or recurrent urinary symptoms, as excess vitamin D puts strain on the kidneys.

"You should be careful when taking vitamin D if you take certain medications, such as Thiazide diuretics, anticonvulsants, glucocorticoids or cholestyramine/orlistat, as these can all have adverse effects when taken with Vitamin D."

Dr Hass also urged anyone who has certain medical conditions, such as chronic kidney disease or Hyperparathyroidism, to 'always ask a medical professional before taking vitamin D supplements'.