Doctor shares immediate warning and reveals 'important' supplement to take in winter

A doctor has shared one supplement we all need to be taking throughout the autumn and winter months. ITV's health expert Dr Amir Khan appeared on Lorraine this morning to issue advice on how to keep ourselves healthy in the colder weather.

Talking to show host Lorraine Kelly, Dr Khan discussed the importance of taking vitamin D. When asked why the vitamin is so important, the doctor said: "Vitamin D is really important in the winter time because we get most of it from sunlight. Our skin makes it but because there isn't enough sunlight we need to supplement it.

"So if you haven't already started taking your vitamin D supplement now is the time to do it." The NHS recommends micrograms of 400 international units a day (1 microgram of vitamin D is equal to 40 IU) and Dr Khan has urged people to not bother with expensive brands and instead opt for whatever the cheapest brand is.

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Vitamin D is good for immune health as it activates new cells and helps with protective barriers of the skin, gut and lungs. Dr Khan added: "Studies show that people with adequate vitamin D levels have less coughs and colds."

The TV doctor acknowledged one popular question he is always asked about when it comes to vitamin D, whether it needs to be taken with magnesium and vitamin K too. He told Lorraine viewers "You do need magnesium" as it activates vitamin D, turning it from its inactive form to its active form so it can work properly. He urged people to get vitamin K from food such as nuts and dark green vegetables

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According to the NHS, Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. These nutrients are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children, and bone pain caused by a condition called osteomalacia in adults.

Since it's difficult for people to get enough vitamin D from food alone, the NHS advise everyone (including pregnant and breastfeeding women) should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D during the autumn and winter.