You may have heard that being in the sunlight is good because your body needs to “absorb the vitamin D.” However, this advice is a little misleading. The truth is that the human body can create its own vitamin D in the skin when exposed to sunlight. Of course, many adults who do not get sun exposure may need to take a vitamin D3 supplement.
What Is the Recommended Dosage of Vitamin D3 for Adults?
In general, the recommended D3 dosage for adults under the age of 70 is 600 IU per day, while people over the age of 70 have a recommended dosage of 800 IU. It is considered safe to take between 1,000 and 2,000 IU a day, particularly if you have a vitamin D deficiency, osteoporosis, or other conditions that may benefit from higher D3 blood serum levels.
Most multivitamins are formulated with the lower recommended daily value for vitamin D. It may be more beneficial to take a specific D3 supplement, such as Omega with D3, for a better blend of healthy fatty acids to support bone, cardiovascular, skin, and immune health.
Why Is D3 Important?
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin for overall muscle and bone health. Research has found that vitamin D helps absorb calcium in the gut, which allows your body to build strong bones and prevent diseases such as osteoporosis. Because women are more likely to develop low bone density after menopause, doctors often recommend older women take vitamin D to help with calcium absorption.
Can You Get Vitamin D From Food?
You can’t get vitamin D from most foods in your diet. Only fatty fish such as sardines, salmon, and mackerel contain natural vitamin D. Otherwise, the vitamin D in your food has been added to fortify the product. Common foods that are fortified with vitamin D include milk, cereal, bread, and protein supplements.
What Are the Symptoms of Low Vitamin D?
Typically, the symptoms of low vitamin D levels are unnoticeable. You might not even be aware you have a problem until your doctor orders a blood test, or you are diagnosed with a low bone density condition. Some people may notice vitamin D deficiency symptoms such as muscle weakness, fatigue, and poor sleep.
When Should You Take a Vitamin D Supplement?
Like any other vitamin, it’s important to take D3 correctly so that your body can maximize absorption. Because vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, it is absorbed more easily with foods that have a high fat content, such as avocados, nuts, eggs, and full-fat dairy products. Ideally, you should take your vitamin D supplement in the morning with breakfast to increase the absorption of the vitamin. You can take D3 supplements with other vitamins and medications.
Vitamin D deficiency is very common in the United States. To fortify your bones, enhance calcium absorption and improve your immune health, taking a supplement such as Omega with D3 is ideal. Visit Panacea Scientific to shop for D3 supplements today.