Ever since the high prevalence of Rickets reported in the back streets of Manchester has the link to vitamin D and the health benefit of sunshine been understood. It is well known that vitamin D is essential for general as well as bone health, and yet this message often does not get through or is confused by concerns over the harmful effects of the sun. As much as skin colour varies, so should the government message and individuals need to understand the science so that they can take personal responsibility for their own health. In his articles, John Christofides, Principal Scientist at Epsom & St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust provides the essential information that everyone needs, especially those people who have moved to areas of less sunshine, or have an indoor lifestyle.
The basic unit of genetic material carried on chromosomes.
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Essential substances that cannot be produced by the body and so must be acquired from the diet.
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