Who Needs Vitamin D3 Supplement?
Vitamin D helps with strong bones and overall health. If you don’t get enough sun, supplements can be helpful if recommended by a healthcare professional.
In today’s market, a wide array of dietary supplements are available, and vitamin D is one of the important ones. It plays a vital role in maintaining bone density, facilitating muscle movement, strengthening nerve connections, and boosting immune function. But who truly needs it? Let’s find out.
About Vitamin D
Vitamin D is often referred to as the ‘sunshine vitamin’ because our body makes it when the sun touches our skin. It’s a type of vitamin that can dissolve in fat and is known for helping our body use and keep calcium and phosphorus to strengthen our bones. Vitamin D is also a hormone and helps with vital body functions.
But sadly, many people don’t get enough sun every day. This is where vitamin D supplements can help. There are two kinds —
- vitamin D2 (‘ergocalciferol’ or pre-vitamin D)
- vitamin D3 (‘cholecalciferol’)
Doctors advise to take vitamin D3 in the form of supplements. Not having enough of this vitamin can cause significant problems, like weak bones, osteomalacia, and more.
How Do You Know If You’re Vitamin D Deficient?
A blood test is the best way to find out if you have decreased vitamin D levels. Your doctor will check your 25-hydroxyvitamin D level. A bone density test can also help detect deficiency. This test measures the amount of calcium in your bones. In children, severe deficiency can cause rickets, which are bow leg shape.
Some common symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Bone pain
- Muscle weakness
- Mood changes
- Weakened immunity
- Slow wound healing
Who Needs Vitamin D?
- Men and Women on Long-Term Steroids: Long-term use of certain medications, like steroids, can impact the body’s ability to use and absorb vitamin D properly. This makes supplementation necessary for these individuals to maintain their overall health.
- Elderly Individuals: Older adults, especially those who are home-bound or living in nursing homes or assisted living facilities, often have limited exposure to sunlight. Additionally, aging can lead to reduced vitamin D absorption from food sources. These factors increase the risk of deficiency among this group.
- Pregnant and Breastfeeding Mothers: Pregnancy and breastfeeding are critical periods when the body’s demand for nutrients, including vitamin D, increases significantly. Proper vitamin D levels are essential for the mother’s health and the baby’s bone development.
- Post-menopausal Women: After menopause, women’s bodies experience changes that can affect their bone health. Vitamin D supplements help maintain strong bones, making it especially important for post-menopausal women to ensure they’re getting enough.
- Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: The kidneys play a role in converting vitamin D into its active form that the body can use. Individuals with chronic kidney disease may find it difficult to convert vitamin D. Supplements can help mitigate this deficiency.
- Parathyroid Disease Sufferers: The parathyroid glands regulate the body’s calcium and vitamin D levels. Certain parathyroid disorders can disrupt this balance, making it necessary to ensure sufficient vitamin D intake to support bone health.
- Obese Individuals: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin stored in fat tissues. People with obesity may have lower bioavailability of vitamin D, as it gets trapped in excess body fat. This can lead to lower circulating levels of usable vitamin D, making supplements essential for maintaining body health.
Which is the Best Vitamin D Supplement?
If you go the supplement route, most doctors recommend 400 to 800 IU of vitamin D3 daily unless your need is more extensive. Vitamin D3 is the form that is already stored in the body, so it is more effective. You should also have vitamin D with healthy fat since it is a fat-soluble vitamin.
How Much Vitamin D Should You Take?
Most adults have a recommended daily intake of around 600-800 IU. However, it’s best to consult a healthcare provider for personalised advice based on your needs.
In conclusion, if you belong to the risk group mentioned above, consider discussing supplements with your doctor. They’ll provide the correct dosage based on your levels. For others, consult healthcare professionals before taking supplements. Often, minor deficiencies can be addressed by spending a few minutes outdoors and having a diet rich in vitamin D.
