If you’re here, then you probably Google’d: what are vitamin d pills for.
Benefits
De products we think are useful for our readers. Here’s our process. A person can also boost their vitamin D intake through certain foods or supplements.
Vitamin D is essential for several reasons, including maintaining healthy bones and teeth. Despite its name, vitamin D is not a vitamin, but a prohormone, or precursor of a hormone.
Deficiency
Although the body can create vitamin D, a deficiency can occur for many reasons.
Causes Skin type: Darker skin, for example, and sunscreen, reduce the body’s ability to absorb the ultraviolet radiation B (UVB) rays from the sun. Absorbing sunlight is essential for the skin to produce vitamin D. Sunscreen: A sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 can reduce the body’s ability to synthesize the vitamin by 95% or more . Geographical location: People who live in northern latitudes or areas of high pollution, work night shifts, or are homebound should aim to consume vitamin D from food sources whenever possible.
Breastfeeding: Infants who exclusively breastfeed need a vitamin D supplement, especially if they have dark skin or have minimal sun exposure. Although people can take vitamin D supplements, it is best to obtain any vitamins or minerals through natural sources wherever possible. Sources of vitamin D Getting sufficient sunlight is the best way to help the body produce enough vitamin D. Plentiful food sources of vitamin D include: fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and tuna
egg yolks
cheese
beef liver
mushrooms
fortified milk
fortified cereals and juices Here, learn how to get more vitamin D from the sun.
Dosage People can measure vitamin D intake in micrograms (mcg) or international units (IU). 400 IU (10 mcg). Children 1–18 years: 600 IU (15 mcg).
Adults up to 70 years: 600 IU (15 mcg). Adults over 70 years: 800 IU (20 mcg). 800 IU (20 mcg).
Pregnant or lactating women: 600 IU (15 mcg).
Contents
D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children, and bone pain caused by a condition called osteomalacia in adults.
Government advice is that everyone should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter.
How Much Vitamin D Should You Be Getting?
In” because it’s produced within the body when the sun hits the skin. But many people turn to supplements in chillier months of the year when cold and dark days limit time spent outdoors.
Decreasing vitamin D levels isn’t just a winter issue. Over the past couple of decades, the number of Americans with sufficient levels has decreased. Furthermore, levels of vitamin D sufficiency among African Americans dropped from 10 percent to only 5 percent during the same time period.
Indeed, the National Institutes of Health notes that deficiency has become more common in men in particular, likely due to rising weight, reduced milk drinking, and more use of sunscreen outdoors. (3)
That drop is a problem because the vitamin can help the gut absorb calcium, which ultimately promotes strong and healthy bones. Vitamin D is also helpful in reducing inflammation and boosting immune function and cell growth.