Description
This information is provided to help you make an educated
choice. Remember to talk with your health-care professional before starting a
supplement regimen. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any non-Mayo products or
services. Mayo Clinic has authorized Thorne Research to distribute Mayo Clinic
health information as part of its commitment to serve as a reliable resource
for the public. Published 12/09/2016 What is Vitamin D? Vitamin D is an
essential bone-building vitamin. Your body can absorb calcium — the primary
component of bone — only when sufficient vitamin D is present. Vitamin D also
supports muscles, nerves and the immune system. Low levels of vitamin D are
linked with a range of health risks and adverse consequences. What are the
dietary sources of vitamin D? In the United States, most dietary vitamin D is
obtained from fortified foods, such as breakfast cereals, milk and some
yogurts. Some brands of orange juice, margarine and soy beverages also are
fortified with vitamin D. Very few foods naturally contain vitamin D, although
there is a small amount of vitamin D in: Fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna,
herring, mackerel and sardines Beef liver Cod liver oil Cheese Egg yolks Some
mushrooms Should I consider taking Vitamin D? Vitamin D deficiency — defined
as a vitamin D level below 20 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) — is relatively
common in the United States. One large survey found that 42 percent of the
population was deficient. Many experts believe that for optimal health, blood
levels of vitamin D should be at least 30 ng/mL. For many people, it’s tough
to get enough vitamin D. Direct exposure to sunlight is the most efficient
source of vitamin D; however, depending on where you live and your lifestyle,
sunlight can be difficult to come by in the winter. In warmer months, it’s
wise to avoid too much sun or block it with sunscreen. This is generally a
smart move, but it means you won’t get as much vitamin D from sunlight. You
could be at a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency if you: Engage in indoor
athletics rather than sports that get you outside in the sun Have limited sun
exposure for other reasons, such as clothing choices Have a hard time
absorbing fats due to a health condition such as a chronic bowel disease or a
surgical procedure such as a gastric bypass Rarely go out in sunlight or have
limited sun exposure due to your occupation Live in the northern latitudes
Have a darker skin tone, which can act as a natural sunscreen Regularly wear
sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) greater than 8 Are an older adult
(the risk of deficiency starts at around age 50 and increases with age) Are
obese A healthy diet might not be much help either. Because few foods
naturally contain vitamin D, many people fall short of the recommended amount
needed for good health. If you’re not getting enough vitamin D in your diet,
you can make up the difference with a dietary supplement. An often-used blood
test, which determines your 25-hydroxyvitamin D level, is the only way to know
your vitamin D level for sure. Talk to a health care professional to determine
if this blood test is right for you. If you’re at risk of vitamin D
deficiency, a blood test may be warranted. If your vitamin D level is
particularly low, you may need to take a higher amount of a dietary
supplement. How can vitamin D affect my health? Having a sufficient level of
vitamin D can help you in several ways: Promotes healthy bones and teeth
Helps build muscle mass and maintain muscle strength Supports normal immune
function Helps prevent falls in older adults Supports normal brain function
Helps maintain muscle strength Helps you maintain a healthy weight One study
found that low vitamin D levels affected muscle strength in U.S. college
athletes. Athletes with lower vitamin D levels performed more poorly on
several tests of muscle strength than did athletes with higher levels of the
vitamin. How much supplemental vitamin D should I take? The recommended
amount of a vitamin D dietary supplement depends on your blood level of the
vitamin. Unless you are starting out with an extremely high blood level of
vitamin D, which most people don’t have, then you can safely take 1,000
international units (IU) of vitamin D daily. On the other hand, if your blood
level of vitamin D is very low, then your health care professional might
suggest taking a significantly higher amount — such as 5,000 IU daily — for a
short period of time. Vitamin D dietary supplements have few risks and are
generally well-tolerated, especially when taken by mouth. Your health care
professional can help you obtain a vitamin D blood test and provide guidance
on the proper amount of vitamin D to take if your blood test shows you have a
deficiency. Although the supplemental amount of vitamin D recommended by the
Institute of Medicine (IOM) is 600 to 800 IU daily, some experts recommend
higher daily amounts, especially for individuals who are deficient. The IOM
recommends a daily upper limit of 4,000 IU for supplementation. Other experts
suggest that up to 10,000 IU daily can be taken safely. Because the risk of
toxicity from long-term use can increase at levels above the IOM’s recommended
amount, if you regularly take more than 4,000 IUs of supplemental vitamin D
daily, it is best to do so under the supervision of a health care
professional. And, no matter how much you take, it is always advisable to have
your vitamin D blood level rechecked periodically. Are there any side effects
from taking a vitamin D supplement? Vitamin D supplements have few risks and
are generally well-tolerated when used orally and appropriately. However, when
taken in an excessive amount, a vitamin D supplement can cause signs and
symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue and poor
appetite. Is it safe to take vitamin D if I’m taking a prescription
medication? Some studies suggest that supplementing with vitamin D could
impact the way your body processes certain prescription medications. If you
are taking a prescription medication, ask your health care professional if
taking a vitamin D dietary supplement might interfere with it.
Features:
- Vitamin D: Contains 5,000 IU ofEvitamin D3 per capsule
- Multiple Functions: Supports immune function and promotesEcardiovascular, muscle, and bone health*
- Lactose-Free: NoElactose, BHT, BHA, sodium benzoate,EorEsorbicEacid, whichEcan be detrimental to sensitive individuals
- Certified For Sport: Supports high-performance nutrition programs and is NSF Certified for Sport
- Free From: Every Thorne product is made with the purest possible ingredients without gluten or other major allergens (eggs, tree nuts, peanuts). This product also contains no dairy, soy, yeast, fish, or shellfish.
Product Details:
- Product Dimensions: 1.7 x 1.7 x 3 inches ; 0.8 ounces
- Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
- UPC: 693749138013
- Item model number: D138
- #22 in Vitamin D Supplements