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Why should sun-deprived Scots increase their levels of vitamin D?

4 June 2019

There are many reasons why one might choose to bring up a family in Scotland: the free education; the world famous friendliness; the possibility of your little ones bumping into and marrying a prince.

But there is a potentially compelling reason why the Scots might want to consider rearing their kids down south — life expectancy.

According to recent research, the average life expectancy of a child born in England is two years longer than that of a child born in Scotland and one geneticist believes this is to do with sunshine ...or, rather, a lack of it.

Speaking to Kaye Adams on Mornings, Professor Steve Jones – at University College London – discussed the possible links between the lack of sunshine, lower levels of vitamin D and some countries’ death rates, including Scotland.

“The Scots are among the most sun-deprived people in the world. Only one person in 50 in the world lives farther north than Edinburgh and the life expectancy gap, especially in men, is getting wider.”

“Multiple sclerosis is an example of a disease with a much higher frequency up north; it’s 50% higher in Scotland than England.”

Should We Be Taking A Vitamin D Supplement?

Professor of Genetics, University College London, Steve Jones believes we should.

Photo by Jenn Evelyn-Ann

“I take it [a vitamin D supplement] and I will continue to take it,” said Professor Jones.

People who have lots of sunlight have a much lower death rate than people who have almost none

Professor Steve Jones

“It’s not really a vitamin at all: it’s actually a hormone and can be made by going out in the sun. But the crucial thing is probably that children [should] have it.”

Professor Jones asserted that, if Scottish children move to England and spend their childhood there, their health is better as a result.

“Vitamin D is not a particularly toxic drug. People in the States in particular have started taking huge amounts – ten times the current Scots recommendation [10 micrograms per day] – so I would be a bit less conservative and take more than 10 micrograms, particularly for children.”

But, stresses Professor Jones, the benefits of vitamin D supplements aren’t as compelling as sunshine exposure itself.

“The vitamin D supplements stuff is less convincing than the sunlight figures and they’re absolutely convincing. People who have lots of sunlight have a much lower death rate than people who have almost none.”