Vitamin D Supplement And Sources of Vitamin D
All the vitamins are important in proportionate amount to enhance the overall growth of the body and to carry out the body functions smoothly. Talking about vitamin D, we must know that vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps us to absorb calcium. We need calcium for strong bones and teeth. As it is fat soluble, vitamin D is stored in our bodies until we need it. Our bodies don’t produce vitamin D on their own however, so it’s important that we take in enough. If you don’t take in enough vitamin D, you may need a vitamin D supplement.
But you must take vitamin D supplement in case if the levels are not sufficient to meet your bodily requirements. There are fewer foods that provide you with sufficient amounts of Vitamin D supplement. Vitamin D is found in some foods and added to others. We get vitamin D from cod liver oil, tuna, mackerel, egg yolks, milk, cereal, and other foods that have been fortified with vitamin D. Thus, if you are a vegetarian then you will get vitamin D in meager amounts. But there is sun for us. We are also able to absorb vitamin D from the sun. We don’t actually get vitamin D from the sun but the UV rays from the sun allow a process to occur in our bodies that produce vitamin D.
Of course, we have to be careful not to get too much sun but as little as 10 minutes a day of sunlight can provide the recommended intake of the necessary UV rays. If you suffer from a vitamin D deficiency, you will need a vitamin D supplement.
Now let us discuss the disadvantages of lack of vitamin D. Children who don’t get enough vitamin D can suffer from rickets, which is a bone softening disease that can actually re-shape the bones. Women who suffer from a vitamin D deficiency can suffer bone softening diseases as well as brittle bones that break easily. This is a sort of weakness. The overall body is not able to resist with any outside interference. Vitamin D is important for over all growth and functions.
Infants who are breastfed only do not get enough vitamin D without adding a vitamin D supplement. Some doctor recommend starting an infant on a vitamin D supplement at two months of age unless they are also being fed vitamin D enriched formula. The children must start getting vitamin D from the very early age, as this is truly helpful. A law was enacted in 1980 that makes it mandatory for vitamin D to be added to baby formula. It is called the infant formula act of 1980 and its purpose is to ensure that babies are getting the proper nutrients and that the formulas being produced are safe.
If you take a multivitamin, you would not need an additional vitamin D supplement. It can be very dangerous to get too much vitamin D. everything is good in proportion and not excessive. Now what will happen if you take more vitamin D?
Too much vitamin D can cause nausea; vomiting and can interfere with heart rhythms as well as other problems. If you decide to take a vitamin D supplement, consult with your doctor for the recommended daily values. Do not go to the local medical store and buy an over the counter supplement. Take the advice of your family doctor first. As we age, our skin absorbs less UV rays and therefore we produce less vitamin D. Your doctor can measure your vitamin D level with a blood test and then make his recommendations.
Summary: Our bodies don’t produce vitamin D on their own however, so it’s important that we take in enough. If you don’t take in enough vitamin D, you may need a vitamin D supplement. We are also able to absorb vitamin D from the sun. We don’t actually get vitamin D from the sun but the UV rays from the sun allow a process to occur in our bodies that produce vitamin D. We get vitamin D from cod liver oil, tuna, mackerel, egg yolks, milk, cereal, and other foods that have been fortified with vitamin D. Too much vitamin D can cause nausea; vomiting and can interfere with heart rhythms as well as other problems. If you decide to take a vitamin D supplement, consult with your doctor for the recommended daily values.