Vitamin D Supplements

The Crucial Role of Vitamin D in Bone Strength and Density

Vitamin D is an essential vitamin that’s involved in everything from robust immune function to reduced inflammation, a healthy cardiovascular system, better concentration, learning, and memory, and a healthy mood balance. Vitamin D is also integral to bone health since it enables the body to absorb calcium and phosphorus more efficiently. Vitamin D is also central to healthy bone mineralization, directly impacting bone mineral density. Studies have shown that prolonged and severe vitamin D deficiency leads to osteomalacia (soft bones) in adults, also known as rickets in children. Research on the benefits of vitamin D for bone health is so compelling that most healthcare practitioners today recommend vitamin D supplementation to help maintain bone strength and lessen your risk of developing osteoporosis.

Vitamin D can be naturally found in salmon, tuna, mackerel, egg yolks, and mushrooms. Interestingly, the vitamin D concentration in any given food is a function of its exposure to the sun. For instance, the quantity of vitamin D in mushrooms depends on how much sun exposure the mushrooms receive. Much in the same way, vitamin D can be produced from cholesterol in our skin as a result of our exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. 

Unfortunately, statistics tell us that a whopping 40–75% of the population is deficient in vitamin D, which directly impacts our bone health. This is where supplements come in.

Key Benefits of Vitamin D: Building and Maintaining Healthy Bones

• Corrects Vitamin D Deficiency
• Helps Build & maintain Strong Bones & Teeth
• Increases calcium & Phosphorus Absorption
• Reduces Risk Of Osteoporosis And Fractures
• Regulates Bone Turnover

Identifying the Need for Vitamin D: Who Benefits Most?

Because vitamin D is one of the four most common nutritional deficiencies worldwide, supplementation is a good idea for just about everyone, from children to adolescents and adults, to bolster immunity, ensure healthy muscle function, and help the body absorb and retain calcium and phosphorus. Older women and men may significantly benefit from a vitamin D supplement as part of an overall plan to maintain bone health and prevent or treat osteoporosis.

Choosing the Right Vitamin D Supplement for Optimal Bone Health

Potency

Over-the-counter (OTC) vitamin D supplements are offered in potencies between 400 - 2500 IU, and the recommended dose is typically 1000 IU daily. The amount you need is a function of your health status, vitamin D intake, and the reason you are taking the supplement. Those diagnosed with low bone density may require doses above 1000 IU daily, as their healthcare practitioner recommends.

Forms 

Vitamin D supplements may be purchased as vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) or D3 (cholecalciferol)—the former being a synthetically-made form of vitamin D and the latter being sourced from cholesterol in sheep's wool. While both forms of vitamin D offer health benefits, D3 is widely recognized as the "natural and active form" of vitamin D and the most effective at increasing serum concentrations of vitamin D.

Formats

Vitamin D is one of the most widely used nutritional supplements and is offered in everything from capsules to tablets, softgels, chewable, gummy bears, liquids, sprays, and even dissolvable strips to suit everyone's preference.

Concluding Insights: Maximizing Bone Health with Vitamin D

If you’re new to dietary supplements, it’s wise to do your homework before purchasing your vitamin D. Look for a product that does not contain a long list of unnecessary additives (listed as "excipients" or "non-medicinal ingredients") that are overly chemical-sounding or hard to pronounce. Look for a product that is free of GMOs, gluten, wheat, lactose, eggs, soy, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, and, of course, everything artificial (colours, flavours, preservatives).

It's also worth noting that vitamin D is fat-soluble; as such, it's best taken with a fat-containing meal or snack to enhance absorption. Taking your vitamin D with vitamin K, magnesium, and zinc will further boost absorption.