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Dull weather makes Scotland a black spot for vitamin D deficiency

(The Scotsman 09/09/2009)

Dr Elina Hyppönen of the Institute of Child Health in London warned Scotland was a black spot for vitamin D and that the situation would get worse as summers became cloudier. Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones, and shortage has been linked with illnesses such as rickets and multiple sclerosis. Speaking to The Scotsman following a talk at the British Science Festival Dr Hyppönen said: "There is a two-fold difference between people living in Scotland and England in blood vitamin D levels."

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Elderly need more 'sun vitamin'

(BBC 17/05/2009)

Spending more time in the sun could help older people cut their risk of heart disease and diabetes say experts. Sun exposure helps the skin make vitamin D - a vitamin older people are generally deficient in due to their lifestyles and ageing processes.

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Poor health 'due to wet climate'

(BBC 15/09/2008)

Scotland's poor health record could be directly linked to a lack of sunshine, a scientist has said. Dr Oliver Gillie linked the "extreme" weather to vitamin D deficiency, which is caused by low exposure to sunlight.

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