Vitamin D, a fat soluble vitamin, helps the body absorb and use calcium and phosphorus, helps with cell growth and assists in the function of the immune system. However, serious health problems such as osteoporosis and rickets can result from low vitamin D. Our bodies make vitamin D by being exposed to the sun. While most people have no problem getting enough vitamin D, 37 percent of people in the U.S. take supplements including the elderly, breast-fed infants and individuals with some chronic diseases.
Supplements of vitamin D come in two forms: ergocalciferol, which is vitamin D2 and cholecalciferol, vitamin D3. At one time it was believed that both of these forms of vitamin D performed the same way in the body, but new research has shown that vitamin D3 is more effective in raising the level of vitamin D in the blood. Vitamin D3 is now the recommended form of vitamin D and is now included in many supplements instead of D2.
People who need to take supplemental vitamin D include: breast-fed infants, obese individuals, the elderly, dark skinned people and pregnant women. Many physicians recommend that patients with osteoporosis take vitamin D.
It is possible to get too much vitamin D, so be sure to stick with the recommended dose for an adult – about 2,000 IU daily. Individuals with certain health problems, such as rickets or intestinal diseases may need to take higher doses. These higher doses should be prescribed by a physician and blood tests should be performed regularly to check the level of vitamin D in a person’s system. No one should begin taking a supplement without first consulting their health care professional and undergoing a series of tests to determine just how low the level of vitamin D is in their body. Regulating the dose of vitamin D may take some time.
Photo by Rodrigo Senna, Flickr
Thu, Jul 22, 2010
Health