DIETICIANS have been encouraging people in Bradford to top up their sunlight vitamins in a bid to stay well.

The message is part of a Healthy Start and Vitamin D Awareness Campaign reaching out across the district and in particular going out to at-risk community groups who might not be getting enough from sunlight alone.

New Public Health advice is that people should think about taking a 10mcg supplement of vitamin D daily during the autumn and winter months.

According to vitamins experts people from African, South Asian and African Caribbean backgrounds who have darker skins should take the supplements to help protect them against vitamin D deficiency because it takes longer exposure to the sun to reap the same benefits as people with lighter skins.

People who do not get out much, live in care homes, wear sun cream or cover up their faces with make-up containing sun protection factor are also in the at-risk of deficiency groups.

Yesterday Bradford dieticians manned a good health information stall at the city’s Oastler Street Market to promote awareness on the benefits of Vitamin D.

They were giving out information and advice to visitors who stopped off to find out more.

The event was organised by registered dietitians working for the Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’ Nutrition and Dietetics Service who were also able to direct people to other services and to safe, over-the-counter vitamin D supplements suitable for all the family.

Dietician Zak Ansari said: “Vitamin D is made in the skin by the action of sunlight and for the majority of those living in Bradford, this is the main source of Vitamin D during the summer months.

“However, during the autumn and winter months, Vitamin D cannot be made due to the lack of the right type of sunlight.

“Very few foods contain Vitamin D and it is very difficult to meet your Vitamin D requirements through diet alone.

“People who have darker skin, people who have little or no exposure to sunlight for example living in care homes, housebound or cover the skin,babies and young children, teenagers, pregnant and breastfeeding women, older people, people who wear sunscreen and cosmetics containing SPF are all at risk of developing Vitamin D deficiency.”

Bradford’s location on the UK map does not help either, said Mrs Ansari who added: “ In addition to this, the position of Bradford on the map, puts the general population at risk of deficiency too.”

Vitamin D helps keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. A small number of foods like oily fish, red meat and eggs contain it but is not enough alone to make a difference, some breakfast cereals and spreads have it too.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding or have a child under four years of age can get the supplements for free.

Anyone wanting advice should talk to their GP.