Vitamin D is needed by the body to help keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy, according to the NHS.
Without enough of the vitamin, it’s difficult to regulate the amount of calcium or phosphate in the body.
A severe lack of vitamin D could even lead to some other medical conditions, including deformities, rickets or osteomalacia.
You could be at risk of a vitamin D deficiency if you have a throbbing pain in your bones, it’s been claimed.
Aching bones could be a sign that you need more vitamin D – especially if it’s in your back or knees, said Holland and Barrett.
Left untreated, the pain could develop in to osteoporosis, and an increased risk of fractures.
If you have bone pain, along with a general feeling of weakness, you should consider increasing your vitamin D intake, it said.
“You might know about the link between vitamin D deficiency and rickets [which is called osteomalacia in adults],” said Holland and Barrett.
“Rickets is a condition which affects the bones. It causes them to become soft and weak, often leading to deformities and fractures.
“Vitamin D deficiency affects bone health which could result in a throbbing or achy feeling in your bones. This is often most noticeable in the knees and back.
“Those who don’t have enough of this important vitamin can develop rickets, osteoporosis, bone pain, and an increased risk of fractures.
“If you think you are at risk, seek advice from a medical professional or ask your doctor for a blood test to assess your vitamin D levels.”
You could also be at risk of the condition if you have digestive problems, it added.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, so any gut problem that affects the body’s ability to absorb fat could also impact vitamin D levels.
People that are overweight or obese are also more likely to be deficient in vitamin D, as they need more of the vitamin that a person with a healthy weight.
The most common vitamin D deficiency symptoms include having a general feeling of weakness, excessive sweating, and fatigue.
The best way to avoid a deficiency is to spend between 20 and 30 minutes in direct sunlight.
But, during the winter months, it’s not possible to absorb enough ultraviolet light to produce vitamin D.
Therefore, everyone should consider taking vitamin D supplements from September to March to prevent a deficiency.
If supplements aren’t for you, try eating more oily fish or red meat, as they’re rich in vitamin D.