Vitamin D is crucial for bone development and deficiency in this vitamin is proven to be linked with osteoporosis. However, it is incorrect to simply say 'get outside' for your vitamin D. In the UK and indeed throughout the northern hemisphere, our sunlight is too weak between the months of October and May to enable our bodies to use it for vitamin D production. Therefore, it's important to maintain vtiamin D levels from other sources - ie in vitamin pill form - although sufficient dosage (1,000 IU per day) is not available over the counter in the UK only online, or spend 2-3 minutes a couple of times a week on a sunbed - probably not enough for a tan but enough to generate vitamin D!

Gilly Sandilands, Esher, England