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Are You Getting Enough Vitamin D? Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Taking the Supplement
Yahoo Health • • health
Key Points:
- Vitamin D is essential for overall health, supporting bone strength, immune function, mood stability, inflammation reduction, and potentially lowering the risk of dementia, according to medical experts.
- Around 18% of Americans may be at risk of vitamin D deficiency due to factors like limited sun exposure, inadequate diet, certain medications, medical conditions, and pregnancy.
- Symptoms of deficiency can include fatigue, muscle or bone pain, frequent illness, hair loss, mood changes, and impaired bone growth in children, but some individuals may show no symptoms.
- Vitamin D can be obtained from sunlight, fortified foods (such as milk and cereal), fatty fish, egg yolks, and supplements, with recommended daily intake for most adult women being 600 IU (14 to 70 micrograms).
- Excessive vitamin D intake, usually from supplements, can cause hypercalcemia and related health issues; the safe upper limit is 4,000 IU per day, so consultation with a healthcare provider before supplementing is advised.
