When the Sun Fades, Vitamin Supplements Can Be Essential

With the arrival of autumn, the days are gradually getting shorter, the temperatures cooler and the sunlight weaker. During these months, our bodies often struggle to maintain adequate levels of certain nutrients – particularly vitamin D, which is primarily produced in the skin through sun exposure.

In light of this, the NHS recommends that adults and children over the age of four take a daily vitamin D supplement of 10 micrograms (400 IU) from autumn through winter, when UVB rays are not strong enough to support natural synthesis. Multiple studies suggest that supplementation can help protect against health issues such as rickets and osteomalacia.

Beyond the clinical benefits, taking vitamin supplements can make a noticeable difference in everyday life. They can improve energy levels, reduce feelings of fatigue, strengthen immunity and support concentration. Small daily doses of the right nutrients can help people feel more balanced, which often translates to increased focus at work, greater resilience in busy family life, and even better sleep quality.

Here are some tips for incorporating supplements into your routine:

• Ask your doctor for a vitamin D blood test to check your baseline level.
• If possible, choose a supplement that contains vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), which is generally considered more effective.
• Take it with food containing some fat to aid absorption.
• Be consistent – daily doses are more beneficial than large intermittent ones.
• Don’t exceed safe upper limits without medical supervision (often set at around 100 micrograms / 4,000 IU daily for most adults, but always check local guidelines).

While supplements support physical health, the colder and darker days of autumn can also affect mood, motivation and enthusiasm. Therefore, it’s essential to take care of our spiritual well-being as well. Staying connected to God and using your faith can provide inner strength, willpower and determination to face challenges with a positive outlook. This balance of body and spirit helps us navigate the season – and life in general – with greater resilience and hope.

Join our Health Day services on Tuesdays at your nearest Universal Church, where we share practical tips for caring for your wellbeing and also explore how faith can be used as a powerful complement to scientifically supported health treatments. We are currently holding the 7 Tuesdays of the Lord’s Prayer.

Event: 7 Tuesdays of the Lord’s Prayer
Date and Time: Every Tuesday, from 16 September to 28 October at 7.30pm (also at 7am, 10am & 3pm)
Location: At your nearest Universal Church

Sources: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39861407/

Disclaimer: The UCKG HelpCentre’s spiritual advice is to be seen as a complement to the scientifically proven treatment you may be receiving. The UCKG HelpCentre does not claim to heal people but believes that God can through the power of faith. Always follow your doctor’s instructions.