Vitamin D Supplements - Benefits and Uses

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Why do you need a vitamin D supplement?

Vitamin D maintains bone health. This vitamin helps your body to absorb dietary calcium. It also regulates the amount of calcium in your blood and strengthens your bones. People get most of their vitamin D from the sun. If you don’t spend time outdoors or are mostly covered up when outdoors, you may need a vitamin D supplement.

What are the different types of vitamin D supplements?

If you purchase vitamin D supplements, you may see two different forms: vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. Vitamin D2 is made from plants and is found in fortified foods and some supplements. Vitamin D3 is naturally produced in the human body and is found in animal foods.

Is vitamin D a good nutrient?

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin important for bone health. For those low in this nutrient, increasing intake may also reduce depression and improve strength. Your skin produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. Foods like fatty fish, fish oil, and liver also contain vitamin D — as well as certain fortified foods and supplements.

Is vitamin D a dietary supplement?

It is also available in dietary supplements containing only vitamin D or vitamin D combined with a few other nutrients. The two forms of vitamin D in supplements are D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol). Both forms increase vitamin D in your blood, but D3 might raise it higher and for longer than D2.

What Is Vitamin D Supplements

1. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/vitamin-d-and-your-health
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-d/art-20363792
3. https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/benefits-vitamin-d
4. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/vitamin-d
5. https://www.verywellfit.com/vitamin-d-what-should-i-know-about-it-89594
6. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-Consumer/
7. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-d/