Vitamin D is often considered the essential supplement that should be taken by residents in the UK. This is because most of the year, especially during autumn and winter, the sun isn’t strong enough for our bodies to produce what we need, and it is hard to get this from your diet.
Vitamin D supplements are an ideal way to supplement a Vitamin D deficiency, however, there are plenty of different supplements that can be taken, and this depends on your body and your lifestyle.
Everyone is advised to take a Vitamin D supplement of at least 400IU during winter months, and those who might have a deficiency are advised to take more. You can also take too much, which is why it is so essential to find the perfect solution. Taking too much can cause calcium to build up, which can cause damage to your heart and kidneys.
Read on to discover some of the factors that might affect what dose you need, and how Pro D3 can help.
Why Is Vitamin D So Important
Vitamin D helps to regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in your body. This will help you resist illnesses by keeping your immune system working properly and maintaining healthy bones. The main areas they help are your bones, muscles and teeth, helping you better absorb calcium and phosphorus from food.
As well as the sun, you can receive Vitamin D from foods such as oily fish, red meat, egg yolks and fortified foods such as cereals. However, this dose is often not large enough to cover the daily allowance you need.
The NHS recommends that between October and March, everybody above the age of one takes a daily supplement containing 400 IU of Vitamin D, as the sun isn’t enough in these months to get an adequate dose. Whilst 400 IU will work for most people, there are other factors to consider, and you might need a larger dose than this to meet your needs.
Factors To Consider
As mentioned, there is plenty that can affect the dose of Vitamin D you need, ranging from your age to your skin tone. Discover a few of the factors below and why they matter. If you are not getting enough Vitamin D, this can lead to tiredness, bone and back pain, muscle weakness and many other symptoms.
Age
Age is a significant factor in determining how much Vitamin D is needed. This is because the body’s ability to produce and utilise Vitamin D changes throughout life. Your infant might need Vitamin D supplementation if they are breastfed. This is because formula milk is typically fortified with Vitamin D, but breastmilk is not.
As they age, adequate vitamin D is crucial to support bone growth, immune function, prevent rickets and support overall health. Once adulthood is reached, adults require consistent Vitamin D levels to help maintain their bone health and support muscle function.
The skin’s ability to synthesise Vitamin D decreases with age, so older adults may need more Vitamin D supplementation to maintain their bone health and prevent the risk of fractures and osteoporosis.
Diet
If you follow a specific diet, this might affect the amount of Vitamin D an individual naturally receives or absorbs. Individuals who have a high fish intake will usually have adequate levels of Vitamin D intake during the summer months however any other diets often require additional supplements, especially plant-based, vegetarian or vegan diets.
Skin Tone & Exposure
Vitamin D requirements can vary depending on your skin tone due to differences in skin pigmentation. This affects the synthesis of Vitamin D in the skin when exposed to sunlight. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its colour and can act as a natural sunscreen. However, the more melanin in the skin, the more it can inhibit Vitamin D production.
People with very fair skin, such as those of northern European descent, can synthesise Vitamin D a lot more easily than olive, tan, brown and black skin tones.
How often you expose this skin to the sun can also affect the Vitamin D supplement you need. If you spend a lot of time indoors or wear protective or cultural clothing frequently, this can significantly reduce sunlight exposure and mean you need a higher dose of Vitamin D supplement.
Health Conditions
If you have been diagnosed with certain health conditions, this can affect your need for Vitamin D supplements. This also means that you should consult with a healthcare professional before taking any additional supplements. Certain conditions that could affect the amount of Vitamin D you take or need include arteriosclerosis, kidney disease, sarcoidosis and high amounts of calcium or phosphate in your blood
Buy Vitamin D Today With Pro D3
If you’re looking for the best vitamin D supplement to fit your lifestyle, Pro D3 has the right options available. Our range of supplements has solutions for every need, including the dose you want, your dietary habits and whether you need a capsule or liquid solution.
If you’re still not sure after this guide, we even have a perfect product finder quiz, which will help you find the right Vitamin D supplement based on a few simple questions. We stock a great variety of Vitamin D supplements, ranging from daily doses of 400 IU and 2500 UI to weekly doses of 10,000 IU and 25,000 IU.
Available for all lifestyles, Pro D3 is your go-to choice for simple, effective and affordable Vitamin D Supplements. If you have any questions about our range of products, get in touch today to find out more.