Vitamin and minerals are necessary for the human body to function well. It is needed in very small amounts but when a person lacks these essential micronutrients, the person may easily get sick and face many health problems. In general, getting nutrients from food is the best way but this might not be the case for everyone. Hence, supplements such as vitamin D3 may benefit those taking it.
Before going further on what vitamin D3 is good for, you might want to know more about the vitamin D3 itself. Vitamin D3 may be confused with vitamin D but in essence it is almost the same thing. Vitamin D is a term used to describe either vitamin D2 or vitamin D3. The differences between these two subtypes of vitamin D are that vitamin D2 is commonly sourced from plants such as mushroom and yeast whereas vitamin D3 is usually sourced from animals such as red meat. Vitamin D3 is also known as the sunshine vitamin since the human body is able to produce this vitamin through skin exposure towards the sunlight by chemical processes in the body. Since vitamin D3 is able to be produced by the human body, making it in the form of a supplement is the best way to benefit humans as it tends to increase the level of vitamin D in the body more efficiently as compared to vitamin D2.
Now you have known a lot more about vitamin D3, you must be wondering why people take vitamin D3 supplements. There are many health benefits that could be obtained from vitamin D3 supplement, below are among the few:
1) For a stronger bone and teeth- You might be familiar with calcium being the substance for bone and teeth growth but you might be surprised to know that vitamin D helps the body to absorb the calcium from what is eaten and helps to maintain strong bones and teeth. Taking vitamin D3 can help prevent early bone weakness and reduce bone pain in those who already experience bone issues such as osteoporosis.
2) Prevent elderly from injuries- Elderly are prone to falls and fractures due to weak bone and muscle loss. Most elderly have less appetite to eat which may cause a lack of vitamin D sourced from their daily meal. Hence, taking vitamin D3 supplement can help build stronger bones and muscles.
3) Slows down diabetes complication- Diabetes is marked by abnormal high levels of blood sugar level. Vitamin D3 can help regulate the insulin affecting the blood glucose and prevent debilitating complications such as vision loss and nerve issues.
4) Better lung function- Studies show that people with asthma that take vitamin D3 supplements are less likely to get a severe asthma attack. Other studies show better lung function in those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and history of smoking that take vitamin D3 supplement.
While taking vitamin D3 supplements is good, it is important to take it as recommended by medical professionals. The recommended daily intake of vitamin D is 600 to 800 IU. If taken excessively more than 4000 IU, it could lead to toxication that affects vital organs such as heart and kidney. It is best to get medical advice before taking any supplements especially for those already on other medications or have underlying illness. Vitamin D3 supplements are recommended for the elderly, post-menopausal women, people with chronic kidney disease, those on long-term steroids and those with parathyroid disease. Remember to always take supplements as according to the product labels or as advised by your healthcare provider. Any enquiries regarding the supplements should be addressed directly to the health company or medical professionals for further information.
