Your Life: Dear Miriam - Back to basics; HEALTH NEWS HOSPITALS.

Byline: DR. MIRIAM STOPPARD

A SIMPLE vitamin deficiency could be behind the back pain that plagues millions of women in the UK.

A study by the University of Delaware suggests a lack of vitamin D may contribute to moderate to severe back pain. Almost 10 million women of all ages suffer from from it.

We get most of our vitamin D from sunlight on our skin so experts advise spending 10 minutes outside every day fromMay to October to build up vitamin D stores.

However, only do this early morning or late afternoon when the sun is weak. You can also top up stores by eating oily fish like sardines and mackerel, eggs and fortified cereals.