Vitamin D takes precedence over Vitamin C and becomes Britain's bestseller, while Britons stock up on "sun drugs"

Vitamin D has become the best-selling health supplement in the country, as we try to cope with long, dark winters.

The "sun vitamin" – naturally produced by the body when the skin is exposed to the sun – has taken precedence over vitamin C, present in fruits and vegetables, after proving that millions of them are deficient.

Vitamin D is important for healthy bones, teeth and muscles. It is also said that it relieves depression, helps reduce inflammation, ward off viruses and even halves the risk of severe asthma attacks.

Worryingly, a lack of vitamin D has been badociated with a return of rickets in children.

Vitamin D (photo archive of a multivitamin) has taken precedence over vitamin C as the country's preferred supplement

Experts have blamed lack of vitamin D in young people for the lack of outdoor games powered by video games (a child plays a popular game above)

Rickets, a common bone disease in the Victorian era, was virtually eradicated in the 1950s. But the number of cases has more than doubled by 2016.

Experts attribute this increase to the reduction of sun exposure during infancy due to lack of outdoor play and diets low in vitamin D-rich foods such as oily fish, eggs and the liver.

Vitamin D sales in the elderly have been boosted by research showing that it can fight osteomalacia, bone pain, as well as fracture prevention.

Analysts in the retail sector, Mintel, said 56% of supplement consumers were taking multivitamins. Of those taking a single supplement, 33% take vitamin D, 27% vitamin C, 15% vitamin B, 12% vitamin A and 10% vitamin E.

Mintel found that vitamin D use had increased in all age groups, but the largest change was in the 35-54 age group, with an increase of 22% to 35%.

According to the NHS, the British do not get enough vitamin D from the sun between October and early March. They should eat the right foods or take supplements.

He advises: "Since it is difficult for people to get enough vitamin D from food, everyone (including pregnant and badfeeding women) should consider taking a daily supplement containing ten micrograms of vitamin D in the autumn. and in winter."

Mintel estimates that 442 million pounds of vitamins and supplements were sold last year, which represents a 6% increase over five years.

He predicts sales will rise to 477 million pounds by 2023.

Vitamin D supplements – the "sun drug" – are bought by many customers in winter who fear not having enough sun (Workers in London enjoying the sun in August, pictured)

Anita Winther, a research badyst at Mintel, said, "The focus on health, both for consumers and for public debate, is leading people to take a more proactive approach to their well-being.

"The interest in health should be a major driver of vitamin, mineral and supplement sales, while the aging of the population is expected to continue to drive growth in the over-50 segment.

"Vitamin D has proven to be a flagship product in the industry, and its health benefits during the winter months continue to be a hot topic. This will undoubtedly have helped to stimulate the use, to raise his profile. "