If you have dark skin – for example you have an African, African-Caribbean or south Asian background – you may also not get enough vitamin D from sunlight, explains the health site.
What happens if I exceed the recommended daily dosage of vitamin D?
Taking too many vitamin D supplements over a long period of time can cause too much calcium to build up in the body (hypercalcaemia), says the NHS.
Calcium build-up in the body can weaken the bones and damage the kidneys and the heart so if you choose to take vitamin D supplements, 10 micrograms a day should be enough, warns the health body.
The recommended daily dosage does not take into account pre-existing medical conditions, however, so it is best to consult your doctor before taking vitamin D supplements, notes the health site.
