Following advice from Public Health England that everyone should consider taking vitamin D supplements in autumn and winter, Dr Charles Shepherd of the ME Association comments:

“We often flag up the fact that people with ME/CFS, especially those who are partially or totally housebound, are at increased risk of developing vitamin D deficiency – mainly due to the lack of exposure to sunlight (which helps with vitamin D production). This may also be compounded by lack of foods that are good sources of vitamin D in their diet (i.e. oily fish, eggs, fortified breakfast cereals).

“This new advice from Public Health England – that everyone should consider taking a vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter months – is therefore very relevant as vitamin D is essential for good muscle and bone health. Any deficiency of vitamin D in ME/CFS could add to the problems of muscle weakness that is already occurring.

“On a personal basis, I will now be following this advice and taking a vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter months.”

BBC news article: Vitamin D supplements ‘advised for everyone’

ME association blog post: MEA comment on new public health advice about Vitamin D supplements, 21 July 2016