A varied, balanced diet generally provides all the vitamins and minerals most people need, without the need for supplements. A few worth knowing about: Vitamin D, which the UK government recommends everyone consider supplementing in autumn and winter due to limited sunlight; Vitamin C, from fruit and vegetables, important for immune function and healing; Iron, found in red meat, pulses and leafy greens, needed to prevent anaemia; and Calcium, from dairy and fortified alternatives, essential for bone health.
Supplements can help fill specific gaps, but they're not a substitute for eating well, and very high doses of some vitamins and minerals can actually be harmful. If you think you might be deficient in something specific, it's worth getting a proper blood test via your GP rather than guessing.
See also our page on healthy diets.
Common questions
Does the UK government recommend a vitamin D supplement?
Yes, everyone is advised to consider supplementing Vitamin D in autumn and winter due to limited sunlight.
Can taking too much of a vitamin be harmful?
Yes, very high doses of some vitamins and minerals can actually be harmful.