HealthTree Blog

Vitamin D is important for bone health. When taken into the body, Vitamin D is converted by the liver into two different chemicals. One is calcidiol, which is then changed into calcitriol. It is this chemical that allows for the absorption of both calcium and phosphorus by the body.
The best source of Vitamin D is sunlight. It only takes fifteen to twenty minutes of direct sun exposure, without using sunscreen, several times a week, for the body to absorb enough Vitamin D to make the amount needed for a day’s requirement. This is nowhere near enough exposure to raise the risk of developing skin cancer from sun exposure.
However, those who cannot get out in the sun for one reason or another, or those who live in areas where, especially in winter, there are only a few hours of sunlight, may need to take Vitamin D supplements. These supplements are available in many forms.
The most natural forms of Vitamin D supplements are foods that are high in Vitamin D. These include citrus fruits, beef liver, cheese, and certain types of seafood, such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel. Eating a sufficient amount of these will help boost Vitamin D. Certain foods, such as milk and some breakfast cereals have had Vitamin D added to them. Eating these in the amount recommended will also help increase Vitamin D in the body.
If it is necessary to take Vitamin D supplements such as tablets or capsules, it is important to make sure that you are not taking too much Vitamin D. A health care professional can tell you what your Vitamin D levels are, and if they are too low, exactly how much of a Vitamin D supplement you should take in order to bring them back to the proper levels.
When you have found out exactly how much Vitamin D supplement you need, then that is the amount you should take, and no more. Too much can lead to Vitamin D toxicity, which can be dangerous. However, if you follow your health care professional’s instructions carefully, this should not be a concern.