Though the NHS recommends all adults “consider” taking vitamin D from around October to about March, recent research suggests that not all vitamin D supplements are created equal.

A paper published in Nutrition Review suggested that vitamin D2 supplements might decrease a person’s D3 levels, which experts think might be linked to better immune function.

The study’s lead researcher, Emily Brown, said : “This study suggests that, subject to personal considerations, vitamin D3 supplements may be more beneficial for most individuals over vitamin D2”.

More research is needed to find out exactly how different types of vitamin D work. But apparently, there’s a very basic way to tell whether your afternoon walk is likely to stimulate any vitamin D: your shadow.

What can my shadow tell me

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