Michael Mosley reveals pill he takes every day to 'ward off' cancer and dementia

The creator of the Fast 800 diet usually prefers to get his nutrients straight from the source through a balanced diet. However, he has explained why he makes an exception for one tablet that can be purchased from most pharmacies.

Writing for MailOnline, Mr Mosley said he is a regular taker of vitamin D supplements through the dark winter months, which he claims lowers cancer and dementia risks. As vitamin D is produced through sunlight exposure, he usually stops taking the pill in the spring - but plans to take it every day this year.

As reported by Bristol Live, he said: "During the winter months, when the sun is weak, I've always followed NHS advice and swallowed a daily tablet, because I know vitamin D is so important for a whole host of reasons. But usually by this time of year, when the sun is strong and summer is well on its way, I stop taking it."

The Just One Thing author has been getting all the vitamin D he needs in the summer from sunshine alongside oily fish and eggs, but he added: "Each year I get older and studies have shown that as we age our bodies become less effective at absorbing vitamin D from food and our skin also becomes less efficient at converting sunlight into this nutrient."

He said the NHS recommends 10 micrograms (mcg) a day of vitamin D in pill form while in the US the recommendation is 15mcg and 20 if you're over 70.

Dr Mosley said: "I take 25 mcg (1,000 IU), which is within the limits of what's considered safe but closer to the sort of doses studies show you need to take to ward off infections, cancers, and maybe even dementia."

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