Spotlight on vitamin D

Even in summer we can suffer from deficiency - here are the warning signs and how to boost your levels of the vital sunshine vitamin

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While the UK has recently enjoyed sunny weather, an unexpected health concern is quietly affecting many - especially young adults.

Despite the sunshine, a large number of people aged 18 to 30 are still not getting enough vitamin D, an essential nutrient for overall health.

Dr Natasha Fernando, Medical Director at Medichecks, reveals a simple way to gauge whether your body is producing enough vitamin D.

"If your shadow is shorter than your height when you're outside, it means the sun's rays are strong enough to trigger vitamin D production in your skin. However, if your shadow is longer or barely visible, it suggests that the sunlight isn't sufficient for your body to generate the vitamin effectively — even if the sky is clear," she explained.

Data from Medichecks reveals that around 58 per cent of young adults in this age group have insufficient levels of vitamin D, even during the summer - indicating vitamin D deficiency is not just a winter problem.