Vitamin D: How much should be consumed daily to stay healthy

Your mom is right (as always)! Getting a morning dose of sunshine is beneficial for your health. That’s one way of getting vitamin D naturally. Vitamin D, also known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’, plays a critical role in bone health, immune function, and overall well-being. Vitamin D deficiency is a major global public health problem affecting approximately 1 billion people. Nearly 50% of some populations experience vitamin D insufficiency. A deficiency can result in various health concerns, most notably rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults. While you can get vitamin D from sunlight and your diet, you may need supplementation in case of deficiency. Understanding the right dosage depending on age, lifestyle, and individual health needs is important. Before we delve into the dosage, let’s take a look at why vitamin D is important for health.

What is vitamin D?

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient essential for maintaining healthy bones, supporting immune function, and promoting overall well-being. It mainly exists in two forms: Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), derived from plant sources and fortified foods, and Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), produced by the skin when exposed to sunlight and found in animal-based foods such as salmon, cod, and egg yolks.

Why is vitamin D important?

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, promotes strong bones, and prevents conditions like osteoporosis. It also supports immune system function and potentially reduces the risk of infections and chronic diseases, such as autoimmune diseases and certain cancers. Emerging studies also hint at vitamin D's role in influencing mood, cardiovascular health, and muscle function.

What are the natural sources of vitamin D?

The body can create vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin when outdoors. To prevent vitamin D deficiency, aim to get about 15 to 20 minutes of sunshine daily, with over 40% of skin exposed. Other sources of food include oily fish such as salmon, sardines, herring, and mackerel, red meat, liver (not suitable for pregnant women), egg yolks, and fortified foods such as some fat spreads and breakfast cereals.

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How much vitamin D do you need?

The amount of vitamin D you need each day depends on your age. Children from age 1, adults, pregnant and breastfeeding women need 10 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin D a day. Infants up to the age of 1 year require 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day. Adults over 70 require 20 micrograms to support bone health. To know if you have a vitamin D deficiency, you can consult your healthcare provider, who would run blood tests that measure levels of storage vitamin D.