Are you lacking Vitamin D? It has been a very common deficiency nowadays.

The Vitamin D deficiency contributes to calcium deficiency & many more.

Karetrip is here to help you explore Vitamin D deficiency & best supplements available.

Importance of Vitamin D

Vitamin D are important vitamins that help with the absorption of calcium & maintaining good bone health.

It also helps in boosting your immune system protecting against bacterias & viruses.

Factors Leading to Vitamin D Deficiency

There are many other factors leading to the lack of Vitamin D. These include:

Dietary preferences

Vitamin D is naturally found in a few foods, which are mostly animal products like fatty fish, egg yolk, cheese & beef liver. Hence pure vegetarian/vegans may not acquire sufficient Vitamin D throughout their diet.

• Skin Color: Darker skin tones have higher melanin, which reduce Vitamin D absorption rate.

• Geographic Location: Some regions have very little sun exposure, these can make the inhabitants prone to Vitamin D deficiency.

• Age

• Limited sun exposure and more indoor stay

• Medications etc.

What happens if You Don’t Get Enough Vitamin D ?

Lack of Vitamin D can lead to extreme coldness, fatigue & reduced immunity. They can also help with your bone health & healthy hearts.

In Children:

Causes rickets, a disease where bones become:

• Soft
• Weak
• Deformed
• Painful

In Teens & Adults:

Causes osteomalacia, a disorder leading to:

• Bone pain
• Muscle weakness

8 Vitamin D Dietary Supplements

Vitamin D is available in various supplements. It can be either Vitamin D tablets or those that come with other vitamins like K2 or calcium. It comes in two forms:

• D2 (ergocalciferol)
• D3 (cholecalciferol)

Both these forms raise the level of Vitamin D in your blood. However D3 might do so more effectively for longer periods.

Taking Vitamin D with fatty foods can help optimize the absorption rate of these supplements.

Some vitamin supplements are given below:

1. Form of Vitamin D

Top-Pick: NatureWise Vitamin D3

Type: Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)

Pros:

• D3 is more effective than D2 at raising & maintaining blood Vitamin D levels.
• Comes in a softgel form & is easy to swallow & well-absorbed.

Cons:

• Must be taken with a meal containing fat for optimal absorption.
• Some users may prefer a non-capsule form.

2. Bioavailability

Top-Pick: Nordic Naturals Vitamin D3

Type: D3 with Olive Oil

Pros:

• It has olive oil content, improving absorption capacity
• High-quality ingredients
• Third-party Testing for purity.

Cons:

• It can be very expensive
• Not suitable for those with olive oil allergies.

3. Dosage & Potency

Top-Pick: Thorne Research Vitamin D/K2

Type: Vitamin D3 with Vitamin K2 Pros:

• High potency with 5,000 IU of D3, ideal for those with significant deficiencies.
• Vitamin K2 supports bone health by directing calcium to the bones.

Cons:

• The high dosage may not be suitable for everyone without medical supervision.
• Expensive compared to other options.

4. Quality & Purity

Top-Pick: Pure Encapsulations Vitamin D3

Type: D3 (1,000 IU)

Pros:

• Known for rigorous third-party testing for purity standards.
• Hypoallergenic
• Free from gluten, soy, & dairy.

Cons:

• Available in smaller doses, which may not be sufficient for those with severe deficiencies.
• It can be very costly.

5. Additional Ingredients

Top-Pick: Sports Research Vegan Vitamin D3 + K2

Type: D3 + K2

Pros:

• Vitamin D3 + K2 can increase calcium absorption & bone health. -Vegan-friendly formula made from lichen.

Cons:

• Slightly higher price for a vegan supplement.
• The addition of K2 may not be necessary for everyone.

6. Dietary Restrictions & Allergies

Top-Pick: Garden of Life Vitamin D3

Type: Vegan, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free

Pros:

Suitable for vegans, vegetarians, & those with gluten or dairy allergies. Sourced from whole foods with additional probiotics for gut health.

Cons:

Lower bioavailability compared to animal-based D3 supplements. May contain more fillers than other supplements.

7. Brand Reputation

Top-Pick: NOW Foods Vitamin D3

Type: D3 Softgels

Pros:

• Well-regarded brand with a reputation for quality & affordability.
• Available in various dosages to suit different needs.
• Chewable

Cons:

• Some users might experience fishy aftertaste due to gelatin capsule.
• Not suitable for vegetarians or vegans.

8. Price & Value

Top-Pick: Nature Made Vitamin D3

Type: D3 (1,000 IU)

Pros:

• Affordable & widely available
• USP verified for quality & potency.

Cons:

• Basic formulation without additional nutrients or premium ingredients.
• Some may find the lower dosage insufficient for correcting severe deficiencies.

Vitamin D & Medication Interactions: What to Know

• Orlistat (Xenical & alli): Orlistat reduces how much Vitamin D is absorbed from the intestines, which can lead to lower Vitamin D levels in your body.

• Statins (Cholesterol-lowering drugs): High doses of Vitamin D can potentially decrease the effectiveness of statins, which are used to manage cholesterol levels.

• Steroids (e.g., Prednisone): Steroids like prednisone can lower the levels of Vitamin D in your blood, potentially affecting bone health & the immune system.

• Thiazide Diuretics (e.g., Hydrochlorothiazide): When taken with Vitamin D supplements, thiazide diuretics can increase calcium levels in the blood, which might lead to hypercalcemia.

Vitamin D is an essential vitamin. Most of the people however suffer from lack of vitamin D.

The prolonged indoor stay, dietary preferences and many other factors lead to vitamin D deficiency.

There are many supplements available in the market which don't require a doctor prescription for this. But it is highly advised to consult a doctor before starting any prescription. Make sure to convey any history of medications and other illnesses.

Everything is a boon when you know what moderation is.