Warnings
It’s typically used to treat people who have a vitamin D deficiency or related disorder, such as rickets or osteomalacia.
What Are The Main Differences Between Vitamin D And D3?
The term vitamin D is kind of a misnomer because you will not find anything labeled simply as “vitamin D” in a pharmacy vitamin aisle. For the purpose of this article, when vitamin D is mentioned, it will refer to vitamin D2.
The 50,000 IU capsules are prescription only, while lower strengths are available over-the-counter. For this reason, it is sometimes referred to as the sunshine vitamin. All forms of vitamin D3 are available over-the-counter.
Indefinite Indefinite Who Typically Uses The Medication?
Benefits
If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. A human body produces vitamin D as a response to sun exposure. It may also protect against a range of diseases and conditions, such as type 1 diabetes.
Despite its name, vitamin D is not a vitamin, but a prohormone, or precursor of a hormone.
Deficiency
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 . Covering the skin with clothing can inhibit vitamin D production also.
Breastfeeding: Infants who exclusively breastfeed need a vitamin D supplement, especially if they have dark skin or have minimal sun exposure. One microgram of vitamin D is equal to 40 IU. The recommended daily intakes of vitamin D are as follows: Infants 0–12 months: 400 IU (10 mcg).
400 IU (10 mcg). Children 1–18 years: 600 IU (15 mcg). 600 IU (15 mcg).
600 IU (15 mcg). Adults over 70 years: 800 IU (20 mcg).