Getting The Most From Vitamin D From Good Absorption and Good Sources.

Getting the most from vitamin D from good absorption and good sources.

Making it Work Better
You'll absorb vitamin D a lot better if you take it with dietary fat. Take vitamin D supplements with food. Several studies have shown that the relationship between estrogen, magnesium, and boron may be essential in the conversion of vitamin D to its active form. Be sure your daily multivitamin has the amounts you need.

Good Sources
Many people remember the awful tasting cod liver oil but it wasn't given as a punishment, it is a good source of vitamin D. Fish oil contains a lot of vitamin D. You can get it from eating fish liver, mackerel, herring, sardines, salmon, tuna, and other oily fish. There aren't many other foods that naturally have vitamin D. Vitamin D is added to a lot of cereals and most people get their vitamin D from fortified milk.

Deficiency
Rickets (bones don't grow and harden properly) is caused by a crippling shortage of vitamin D. Without enough vitamin D, bones can't absorb calcium to grow straight and strong. Rickets is by far mot as common as it was over a hundred years ago, but babies who are breast fed and never get any sunshine are at risk.
If you are an older adult, your are only making about half as much vitamin D in your skin as you did when you were younger.
People who are housebound or live in nursing homes are at risk of vitamin D deficiency. If you have kidney disease or liver disease you can't convert vitamin D3 into its more active form.
Some drugs block the absorption of vitamin D and other fat-soluble vitamins. Drugs such as cholestyramine (Cholybar or Questran) block your absorption. Some drugs can deplete your vitamin D level, such as, corticosteroids like cortisone, prednisome or dexamthasone for allergies, asthma, or some other health problems. Other anticonvulsant drugs such as Dilantin or Phenobarbital will interfere with how you use vitamin D.
If you are a strict vegetarian or vegan, there is little vitamin D in plant foods so you may not be getting enough vitamin D.
Alcohol blocks your ability to absorb vitamin D in your intestines and store it in your liver. If you abuse alcohol, you may be deficient.

I hope this helps everyone better understand the importance of vitamin D and good health. Until tomorrow, have a great night.
Remember to Make Healthy Informed Choices!