Do you get enough vitamin D? Choose from our wide range of vitamin D supplements.

Over the last few years, new research has determined that most of us are not getting enough vitamin D. The body can produce vitamin D if the skin is exposed to the sun. The body produces vitamin D when the sun causes the skin to produce a substance called cholecalciferol, a form of vitamin D. This form of vitamin D must be sent to the liver and the kidneys to change into an active form of vitamin D the body can use.

There are several reasons why you need to ensure you are getting enough vitamin D. Vitamin D is important for:

Helping the body absorb calcium: Vitamin D is necessary for the body to absorb calcium. These two nutrients work together to keep the bones and teeth strong.

Central nervous system functioning: The body requires vitamin D to maintain proper muscle and nerve function. Vitamin D is also important for cognitive function.

Immunity: The immune system declines if the body does not have an adequate vitamin D level. The development of autoimmune disease has also been associated with having a low level of vitamin D.

Regulating human cell life cycle: Vitamin D plays a role in helping cells maintain a normal lifespan.

Causes and symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency

A deficiency in vitamin D can occur for several reasons. Some of the causes of a vitamin D deficiency may include:

• Having dark colored skin: Dark skin causes less light to be absorbed by the body and results in the body producing less vitamin D.
• Living in a northern climate: Residing in a geographic location where less sunlight is available to the body means the body cannot produce as much vitamin D as it could receiving more sun exposure. People living in climates that don’t provide much sun for a part of the year are at a higher risk for vitamin D deficiency than people who live in warmer, sunnier climates closer to the equator.
• Not eating enough dietary fat: Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin. The body cannot absorb vitamin D if it is not taken with a source of dietary fat.
• Having a malabsorption disorder: Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or having had bariatric surgery may cause less vitamin D to be absorbed by the body.
• Medication use: Drugs such as anticonvulsants, antifungals, glucocorticoids, and treatments for HIV may interfere with vitamin D absorption.
• Aging: With advancing age the body is less able to produce vitamin D after sun exposure. The body may have a 25% reduced ability to synthesize vitamin D by the time a person reaches the 70 years of age.

If you’re concerned about your vitamin D level, you should speak to a medical practitioner for advice.

Treating a vitamin D deficiency

A vitamin D deficiency can be treated by the following methods:

Obtaining dietary sources of vitamin D
Including foods in the diet that contain vitamin D may be helpful. However, food alone does not contain adequate vitamin D to support the body’s needs. Cod liver oil, salmon, tuna, and shiitake mushrooms are foods that contain small amounts of vitamin D.

Supplementing with vitamin D
The most effective way to treat a vitamin D deficiency is to take a supplemental source of the vitamin and monitor progress in raising your vitamin D level through blood testing.

At OTCDeal, we offer a number of vitamin D supplements. Click on the following link to see our wide range of nutritional vitamin D supplements.