Vitamin D is a nutrient found in some foods and is needed for health and to maintain strong bones. It does this by helping the body absorb calcium from food and supplements. People who get too little vitamin D may develop soft, thin, and brittle bones, a condition known as rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. If a person suspects they may be vitamin D deficient, what supplements have been medically proven to help increase vitamin D in the blood?

A person can become deficient in vitamin D because they don’t consume enough or absorb enough vitamin D from food, their exposure to sunlight is limited, or their kidneys cannot convert vitamin D to its active form in the body.

Symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency include becoming sick more often, experiencing fatigue, bone and back pain, depression, impaired wound healing, bone and hair loss, and muscle pain.

To ensure your vitamin D is at a healthy level, increasing your sun exposure, eating more vitamin D-rich foods, or using a vitamin D supplement.

What are the best supplements that have been medically proven to help with vitamin D deficiency?

Ergocalciferol is also known as vitamin D2 and is a supplement. Ergocalciferol is used to prevent and treat vitamin D deficiencies and the supplement was first described in 1936.

It is on the World Health Organisation’s list of essential medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system.

In 2016 it was the 56th most prescribed medication in the Unites Sates with more than 14 million prescriptions.

Ergocalciferol is available as a generic medication and over the counter. Certain foods such as breakfast cereal and margarine have ergocalciferol added to them.

Cholecalciferol is also known as vitamin D3 and is a type of vitamin D which is made by the skin when exposed to sunlight; it is also found in some foods and can be taken as a dietary supplement.

It is used to treat and prevent vitamin D deficiency and associated diseases, including rickets. Cholecalciferol is also on the World Health Organisations list of essential medicines.

The body creates vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin when outdoors

NHS

One of the supplements actions is to increase the uptake of calcium by the intestines.

It is also found in food such as some fish, cheese and eggs.

The NHS said: “The body creates vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin when outdoors.

“It is also found in a small number of foods including oily fish, red meat and egg yolks.

“Another source of vitamin D is dietary supplements.”

For those worried about fixing their vitamin D deficiency, the solution is simple and easy and can have big benefits on one’s overall health.

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