Vitamin D is essential to the health of every person, however, it can be challenging for many people to get the amount they require. Those who follow a vegan diet, for example, can often find it difficult to get all the vitamin D they require from what they eat and drink alone. Supplementing their diet with vegan vitamin D3, therefore, can often be incredibly helpful.
The Vitamin Challenges for Vegans
Maintaining optimal health requires a balanced intake of essential vitamins and minerals. However, in our fast-paced modern lives, it can be challenging to consistently meet these nutritional needs through a varied and whole-food diet. This is particularly true for individuals following specific dietary restrictions, such as vegans. The below section will cover some of the challenges those who follow a vegan diet can face when it comes to vitamin D3.
Dietary Restrictions
Many foods that are high in vitamin D aren’t vegan-friendly, making them unsuitable for those on a solely plant-based diet. These foods include fatty fish, such as salmon or tuna. This can make it incredibly challenging for those following a vegan diet to get the vitamin D3 they need, which is why supplements are often recommended.
Sunlight Exposure
Sunlight is one of the best sources of vitamin D, making it important for us to get plenty of fresh air and vitamins. Unfortunately, in the winter months, everyone can struggle to receive the right amount of vitamin D, due to the lack of sunlight. Additionally, lifestyle factors such as spending most of the day indoors and wearing heavier clothing to stay warm can reduce the amount of vitamin D our bodies can produce.
Why Is Vitamin D Important for Health?
Vitamin D is often referred to as the "sunshine vitamin" due to its unique ability to be produced by the body when exposed to sunlight. However, its importance goes far beyond its sunny origins, playing a critical role in maintaining overall health and well-being. Read on to discover why vitamin D is essential to a healthy lifestyle, whether sourced from diet alone or supplemented by vitamins.
Skin Health
We all want glowing skin and a healthy appearance. Vitamin D can help our skin cells to both grow and repair, contributing to a healthy skin turnover. Similarly, vitamin D3 can stimulate the production of collagen, which helps to reduce wrinkles by giving skin both structure and elasticity.
Bone Health
Many studies have proven that vitamin D3 is important for healthy bones. Vitamin D helps our bodies to absorb calcium, which is a mineral we need to build and maintain strong bones. In adults, symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency can include bone or muscle pain, tiredness and aches. Over the long term, insufficient vitamin D levels can lead to more serious conditions, such as osteomalacia, a disorder causing soft and brittle bones, or an increased susceptibility to falls and injuries.
Immune System
The immune system is a network inside of our bodies that helps to protect us from sickness. A lack of vitamin D in the form of deficiency can result in a weakened immune system, leaving us more likely to be exposed and vulnerable to infections and illness.
How to Incorporate Vegan Vitamin D3 into Your Daily Routine
There are some easy ways to help you get the right amount of vitamin D3, even if you still follow a plant-based diet, from enjoying the sunlight to choosing vegan vitamin D supplements. Read on for some tips on how you can introduce vitamin D3 into your routine, while still adhering to a vegan diet.
Spend Time in the Sun
Our bodies will produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, making spending time outdoors an easy yet effective way to contribute to good levels. Just a short amount of time in the sun can help top up your body's vitamin D reserves. Activities like walking, gardening, or even enjoying a sunny picnic can combine relaxation with health benefits.
Choose Plant-Based Vitamin D3 Rich Foods
While many sources of vitamin D3-rich foods are not suitable for a plant-based diet, there are still some sources that vegans can include in their diets to increase their levels. Many fortified foods offer vitamin D3, making them a great choice for those following a vegan diet.
Take Supplements
During the winter months, when there are fewer hours of sunlight, you may find it difficult to get everything you need from sunlight and diet alone. Luckily, supplements can be taken to help you retain a good balance. Here at Pro D3, for example, we offer a wide variety of vegan vitamin D supplements for you to choose from.
Common Myths About Vegan Supplements
You might be put off from taking vegan supplements because of myths you have heard regarding them. Fortunately, these can be easily busted to allay your worries. Find three key myths alongside the truth below.
Vegan Supplements are Less Effective
Many people believe that vegan supplements aren’t as effective as those that aren’t tailored to plant-based diets. Luckily, this is not the case. Vegan D3 supplements derived from lichen are just as effective as the alternatives, ensuring that those who have plant-based diets needn’t compromise on supplementation.
Vegan Supplements are Difficult to Find
While many plant-based alternatives are challenging to find, vegan D3 supplements are not included. Here at Pro D3, for example, we offer a wide range of vegan vitamin D supplements, each available to shop on our online store. Our vegan D3 supplements are also available for fast delivery, meaning you needn’t wait long to receive yours.
Vegan Supplements are Only for Vegans
While vegan supplements are tailored to vegan diets, that doesn’t mean exclusively vegans can use them. In fact, many people choose to take vegan supplements even if they aren’t following an entirely plant-based diet, as vegan D3 supplements can have additional ethical and environmental benefits.
The Benefits of Choosing Vegan Vitamin D3 Supplements
If you’re worried about your vitamin D reserves, it may be time to consider introducing vitamin D3 supplements into your daily routine. Available in a variety of options, from daily to strong vitamin D3 doses, introducing supplements can help your body to better function. Learn the key advantages of choosing vegan vitamin D3 supplements below.
Ethical
If you want to supplement your diet with vitamin D3, without compromising on your ethical values, vegan D3 supplements are a great option. When provided by trustworthy businesses, vegan supplements are cruelty-free alternatives that can still ensure you get the levels of vitamin D you need. Our vegan products at Pro D3, for example, are derived from lichen instead of an animal-based source.
Environmental
Many people choose plant-based diets for environmental reasons, as vegans will typically have lower carbon footprints than those of meat eaters. Producing vegan D3 supplements has a lower environmental impact compared to animal-based alternatives, aligning with these eco-conscious values.
Health
A deficiency in vitamin D can exacerbate a wide range of health conditions, making it an essential nutrient for maintaining overall well-being. One of its most critical roles is in bone health, where insufficient levels of vitamin D can lead to conditions such as rickets in children—a disease characterised by soft, weak, or misshapen bones.
Our Vegan-Friendly Products at Pro D3
At Pro D3, we take pride in helping everyone to get the levels of vitamin D they need. We offer both vegan and vegetarian vitamin D supplements, providing options to those who follow a plant-based diet. Our vegan D3 supplements are derived from lichen, making them great for anyone seeking an ethical supplement.
Please visit our website to discover our wide range of vitamin D3 products, available in various strengths and dosages. If you want further information and advice, please get in touch with our team directly, who will be happy to support you.