The UK climate means that some aren't getting enough vitamin D
Fair-skinned people who burn easily in the sun may need to take vitamin D supplements, according to new research.
Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and people get most of what they need from exposure to sunlight during the summer months.
The NHS advises that just 15 minutes a day between April and October is enough exposure that is required.
But a new study funded by Cancer Research UK has found that people with very aple skin may not be able to spend long enough in the sun while also avoiding sunburn.
It suggests that the increased risk of skin cancer from excessive sun exposure outweighs any vitanmin D benefit for people who are fair-skinned.
The study, from the University of Leeds and published in the journal Cancer Causes and Control, suggests the optimal amount of vitamin D required by the body if at least 60nmol/L.
In the new study, people with fair skin did not, on average, reach 60nmol/L unless they were taking supplements.
Professor Julia Newton-Bishop, lead author of the study, says: "Fair-skinned individuals who burn easily are not able to make enough vitamin D from sunlight and so may need to take vitamin D supplements.
"This should be considered for fair-skinned people living in a mild climate like the UK and melanoma patients in particular."