There are dozens of reasons why you should take vitamin D
According to an article published on January 23 in The Independent, one in six people in the UK have vitamin D levels below government recommendations.
In the article, Dr Kathryn Basford from Asda Online Doctor points out that virtually everyone in the UK can benefit from taking vitamin D during the darker months. Although small amounts can be obtained from food, it is difficult to get enough through diet alone.
Needed for normal immune function
Vitamin D is essential for the maintenance of normal bones and teeth, normal calcium levels in the blood, and normal immune function. For these and other reasons, more people than ever have made vitamin D supplementation part of their daily routine from late September through April - the period of the year when sunlight is not strong enough for the skin to synthesise vitamin D.
Safe in higher amounts than once thought
Over the past decades, scientific understanding of vitamin D has evolved. Earlier concerns about toxicity led to cautious intake recommendations, but research has since shown that vitamin D can be tolerated in higher amounts than once assumed. At the same time, studies have demonstrated that people absorb and metabolise vitamin D differently. In practice, this means that some individuals reach an adequate vitamin D status with relatively small supplemental doses, while others may require more.
Up to 100 micrograms without problems
According to the NHS (National Health Service), the upper safe intake level for vitamin D is 100 micrograms (or 4,000 IU) per day. This is more than many people take - including those who supplement after consulting a healthcare professional.
Another aspect that is often overlooked is absorption. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient, which explains why it naturally occurs in foods such as oily fish, meat, and egg yolks. When taken as a supplement, vitamin D is therefore best absorbed when combined with fat.
Why choosing a documented supplement matters
Supplements such as D-Pearls from Pharma Nord contain vitamin D3 - the form that is most effectively utilised by the body - dissolved in pharmaceutical-grade olive oil and encapsulated in small gelatin capsules (“pearls”). This formulation has been shown in numerous published studies to be well absorbed and to raise blood levels of vitamin D effectively.
D-Pearls are available in several strengths, making it easy for consumers to choose a dose that suits their individual needs.
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