Due to the fact that there are relatively few food sources of vitamin D, many people are at risk of developing a deficiency, experts say. Individuals may benefit from finding other ways to boost their intake of this important nutrient, as it has been linked to support for a number of areas of health.
Vitamin D plays a central role in the ability of the body to absorb calcium from foods. In an interview with My Fox Atlanta, Dr. Sharon Bergquist, of the Emory School of Medicine, said that many processes in the body require calcium. If there isn't a full supply handy, it will take calcium from the bones, which can leave them weakened.
"Without the vitamin D, even if you're taking the proper amount of calcium, you're still not getting it into your body. And your body is still going to need to reach out to your bones and other sources to get the calcium level," Bergquist told the news source.
She added that people should consider taking nutritional supplements containing vitamin D. For adults, Bergquist recommended doses of at least 400 international units. This may be the most effective way for individuals to ensure that they have adequate amounts of the nutrient in their system and that they are absorbing all the calcium they take in.
In total, the Office of Dietary Supplements recommends that individuals consume 600 international units per day. While food sources and sun exposure may get individuals closer to this goal, it is very difficult to consume this much vitamin D each day without using nutritional supplements. Consuming adequate amounts of the nutrient may play an important role in supporting bone health.
