Despite a wealth of health benefits, research into vitamin D supplements is mixed. Early studies showed mixed results, with a few promising outcomes. The findings were often observational and were limited to large population-level studies. Several of the findings were contradictory. Although they do show a link between increased vitamin D levels and a decreased risk of specific diseases, the evidence is still lacking. Nonetheless, higher vitamin D intakes may be helpful in improving our health. There has even been some evidence to suggest that higher vitamin D levels can help to boost the immune system and fight off viruses such as coronavirus.
Understanding How To Improve Vitamin D Levels
The amount of vitamin D levels required for optimal health depends on age and gender. According to the Institute of Medicine (now the Health and Medicine Division of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine), a healthy adult should have a daily intake of approximately 600 IU. Some women may need more or less vitamin D based on their blood levels. While the research is still in its early stages, it seems that Vitamin D supplements can help prevent disease and keep us healthy.
The current recommended amount of vitamin D for adults is around 1000 milligrams. However, the best way to determine your vitamin D status is by measuring your serum 25-OHD level. Briot et al. (2009) noted that only the serum 25-OHD test can tell whether you are vitamin D deficient. Consequently, they recommend correcting any vitamin D deficiency if it is present. It is essential to take a supplement for the best results.
Recent studies suggest that 40 to 100 percent of the elderly are deficient in vitamin D. Those who aren’t elderly are also at risk of vitamin D inadequacy. Moreover, even young adults and healthy children are at risk of low levels of the vitamin. In Maine, for example, 48% of white preadolescent girls are deficient in vitamin D, while 52% of black and Hispanic adolescents are deficient.
How To Gain Vitamin D And Improve Overall Levels
Children should take a vitamin D supplement if they have low levels of vitamin D. Infants should take a supplement with at least 400 IU per serving, while older adults should take a supplement containing at least 50,000 IU per day. People should be screened for vitamin D when they are born and as they get older. If their parents don’t have enough vitamin D, it’s important to take the supplement every day.
Most people can obtain enough vitamin D from sunlight, but the body needs a supplement to stay healthy. For example, the vitamin helps the body absorb calcium from the diet. In addition to its protective effect on our health, vitamin D may also help prevent and treat diabetes, type 1 diabetes, and hypertension. It is necessary for all of us to get adequate amounts of it from the sun.
Therefore, in order to get good levels of vitamin D, you may need to spend increased amounts of light outdoors. Doing this is important in order to ensure that you get good levels of Vitamin D in order to help improve your overall health and wellbeing.
Rebecca is a news writer and editor with a passion for breaking stories, media analysis, and fact-based reporting on social and economic issues.