By Mhia Vignoulle
Vitamins are essential to effectively help your body grow, develop and function properly. Humans should normally be able to get all the nutrients they need by simply having a healthy and balanced diet. But unfortunately due to our environment and lifestyles, we have all become “prone to deficiencies,” according to a 2023 study.
In the UK, “around half of UK adults currently take food supplements on a regular basis”, according to the Food Standards Agency. So which supplements do most of us lack in the UK, and what are the primary causes?
Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin
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Qualified health advisor and Holland & Barretts worker, Valeriia Trofymova, shared the key supplements she believes all UK-based people should be taking, and why.
“The number one vitamin we should all be taking is one-hundred percent Vitamin D,” said Trofymova, as this supplement is one of the most important nutrients for our health. A report conduct in February 2025 demonstrated that “around 50% of UK adults having below-optimal vitamin D levels”. Another study said that almost “one billion people worldwide have low levels of vitamin D”.
Having a lack of Vitamin D has huge repercussions on our bones, muscles and brain health. “We should all be taking it, from kids to older people,” said Trofymova.
Interestingly, having a lack of Vitamin D is also a primary reason we develop joint pains, Trofymova explains. She advises that anyone who has joint pain should increase their daily consumption of Vitamin D and also take glucosamine. This will help “increase the cartilage and fluid around the joints and/or prevent their breakdown.”
Tasty Tumeric
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“Here everyone has problems with their metabolism and gut,” said Trofymova. In her opinion, this is due to a lack of proper nutrition. To help with these issues, she recommends taking turmeric supplements. This may help with inflammations, stomach pains, digestions, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, heart diseases and so much more.
Fish Oils in Omega 3
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Eating foods rich in Omega 3 is extremely beneficial for our health, as it helps our brain health by providing structure and interactions between cells. It additionally helps with our heart, skin, and eyes, and has positive effects against anxiety and depression.
That said, it’s not always easy to get Omega 3 naturally. Unless your diet implements a large amount of Omega 3 foods such as fatty fish and nuts, you may need to incorporate a supplement into your diet.
Sunny advice
Unfortunately, the list of what we lack can be quite long, depending on your diet and lifestyle. But the one deficiency that affects almost all of us in the UK is our lack of sun.
“Anyone can take these supplements without any danger, if they don’t overdo and overdose it,” advises Trofymova. If you are unsure of the intake required for you, never forget that a blood test is always available – just ask your GP.
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