Key Findings:
Britain’s health dilemma
With obesity-related hospital admissions in England on the rise and almost half of Brits unaware of key supplements they should be taking, personalised health and wellness experts Made4 vitamins look at some of the key issues with Britain’s lifestyle choices.
Britain’s health issues have been brought into stark focus in recent years. A 2020 study revealed Britain has the lowest healthy life expectancy in Europe, a figure that illustrates widespread health issues across different areas of the country and different social groups.
Britain’s public health problems can be largely attributed to issues with dieting and exercise, but wider issues linked to our population’s attitude towards a healthy lifestyle are also important. It’s unclear whether Britain at large is aware of our rife health problems, or if they simply don’t care. However, evidence shows that change must take place soon.
For example, research highlights that 1 in 6 UK adults have insufficient levels of vitamin D, which, like obesity, can result in reduced immune function and an increased risk of cancer. Similarly, just under 1 in 10 adults have low levels of vitamin B12 (folate), which can lead to weight loss, headaches and mouth ulcers.
Which vitamins are British people missing?
Despite this, research highlights that many Brits are either unaware or unbothered about the impact of their lifestyle choices. Government guidance suggests that UK adults should be taking a daily vitamin D supplement between October and March to keep bones and muscles healthy, but surveys show that 49% of people were unaware of this recommendation, with a further 19% aware of the recommendation but unaware of the daily suggested amount.
On a wider scale, almost 40% of respondents admitted to never taking vitamins, with a further 25% unaware of which vitamins they should be taking. Though vitamins are far from a blanket solution to some of the health problems facing the country at the moment, the sheer number of people who are likely to have an insufficiency or even deficiency of crucial vitamins is alarming.
As part of a healthy lifestyle, the right vitamins for the right person can strengthen your immune system, boost cardiovascular health and support a strong metabolism – all factors which promote improved health and wellbeing. When combined with a balanced diet, vitamins can support a nutritionally complete food intake, helping supplement areas where your diet alone may not provide adequate micronutrients.
Supplements and vitamins should be tailored to the person who is taking them according to that person’s characteristics and health goals. Using personalised vitamin subscriptions and bespoke diet plans can help people understand how the right combination of vitamins for their specific needs can have a real impact on their health and wellbeing.
Line Vivier, Chief Marketing Officer at Made4 Vitamins, commented: ‘The wellness community can be an overwhelming space with lots of complex and conflicting information floating around. At Made4, we aim to make vitamins and supplements easier to understand and accessible for everyone through custom-made packs and smart, expert-led education.’