Vitamin D1
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NUTRIENT FACTS
Nutrient Type
YES
ATC Code
No
Deficiency Diseases
YES
Dietary Sources
YES
Summary
Vitamin D1 helps the body absorb calcium, which is essential for building strong bones. It also supports immune function, which helps the body fight infections, and aids in muscle function and reducing inflammation, which is the body's response to injury or infection.
You can get Vitamin D1 from fatty fish like salmon and mackerel, fish liver oils, and fortified foods like milk and cereals. Sunlight exposure also helps the skin produce Vitamin D1, but factors like skin color and sunscreen use can affect absorption.
A deficiency in Vitamin D1 can lead to bone diseases like rickets in children, which causes soft and weak bones, and osteomalacia in adults, which is the softening of bones. Symptoms include bone pain and muscle weakness.
For adults up to age 70, the recommended daily allowance is 600 IU, and for those over 70, it's 800 IU. Pregnant and breastfeeding women also need 600 IU daily. The upper limit for safe intake is 4,000 IU per day for adults.
Taking Vitamin D1 supplements is generally safe, but excessive intake can lead to hypercalcemia, which is high calcium levels in the blood, causing nausea and kidney problems. It's important to consult a healthcare provider before taking high doses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Vitamin D1 do?
Vitamin D1 is a vitamin essential for maintaining bone health. It helps the body absorb calcium, which is crucial for building and maintaining strong bones. Vitamin D1 also plays a role in immune function, helping the body fight off infections. It supports muscle function and reduces inflammation, which is the body's response to injury or infection. Overall, Vitamin D1 is vital for overall health and well-being.
How can I get Vitamin D1 from my diet?
Vitamin D1 can be obtained from various sources. Animal-based sources include fatty fish like salmon and mackerel, and fish liver oils. Plant-based sources are limited, but some mushrooms exposed to sunlight contain Vitamin D1. Fortified foods, such as milk, orange juice, and cereals, are common sources. Sunlight exposure is an environmental source, as the skin produces Vitamin D1 when exposed to UV rays. Factors like skin color and sunscreen use can affect absorption.
How does Vitamin D1 affect my health?
Vitamin D1 deficiency can lead to several health issues. It may cause bone diseases like rickets in children, which is a condition that leads to soft and weak bones, and osteomalacia in adults, which is the softening of bones. Symptoms include bone pain and muscle weakness. Groups at risk include older adults, people with limited sun exposure, and those with darker skin, as they may not produce enough Vitamin D1 from sunlight.
Who can have low levels of Vitamin D1?
Certain groups are more at risk for Vitamin D1 deficiency. These include older adults, who may have reduced skin synthesis of Vitamin D1, and people with limited sun exposure, such as those living in northern latitudes. Individuals with darker skin have more melanin, which reduces the skin's ability to produce Vitamin D1 from sunlight. People with certain health conditions, like Crohn's disease, which affects nutrient absorption, are also at risk.
What diseases can Vitamin D1 treat?
Vitamin D1 is used as a complementary treatment for several diseases. It helps in managing osteoporosis, which is a condition of weakened bones, by improving bone density. It also supports the treatment of rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, both of which involve bone softening. Vitamin D1 aids in calcium absorption, which is crucial for bone health. Evidence supports its role in reducing fracture risk when combined with calcium.
How do I know if I have low levels of Vitamin D1?
To diagnose a Vitamin D1 deficiency, a blood test measuring 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels is used. Levels below 20 ng/mL indicate a deficiency. Symptoms of deficiency include bone pain, muscle weakness, and increased risk of fractures. Additional tests may be conducted to identify underlying causes, such as parathyroid hormone levels, which help regulate calcium, and kidney function tests. These tests help determine the best course of treatment.
How much supplement of Vitamin D1 should I take?
The usual daily requirement of Vitamin D1 varies by age and life stage. For adults up to age 70, the recommended daily allowance is 600 IU. For those over 70, it's 800 IU. Pregnant and breastfeeding women also need 600 IU daily. The upper limit for safe intake is 4,000 IU per day for adults. It's important to meet these requirements to support bone health and overall well-being.
Will supplements of Vitamin D1 interfere with my prescription medicines?
Yes, Vitamin D1 supplements can interact with certain prescription medications. These interactions may affect how the medications work or how the body absorbs them. For example, Vitamin D1 can interact with medications like corticosteroids, which are used to reduce inflammation, and certain weight-loss drugs, potentially altering their effectiveness. It's important to consult a healthcare provider before starting Vitamin D1 supplements if you're on prescription medications.
Is taking too much of Vitamin D1 harmful?
Excessive Vitamin D1 supplementation can be harmful. It may lead to hypercalcemia, which is a condition of high calcium levels in the blood, causing nausea, vomiting, weakness, and kidney problems. The maximum safe intake level for adults is 4,000 IU per day. Long-term overuse can result in kidney stones and calcification of soft tissues. It's important to avoid unnecessary supplementation and consult a healthcare provider before taking high doses.
What is the best supplement for Vitamin D1?
Vitamin D1 is available in different chemical forms, including ergocalciferol (D2) and cholecalciferol (D3). D3 is more commonly used in supplements due to its higher bioavailability, which means the body absorbs it better. D2 is often used in fortified foods. Both forms are effective, but D3 is generally preferred for supplementation. Choosing between them may depend on factors like cost, availability, and personal preference.
Content of Selected Foods
| Food | Milligrams (mg) per serving | Percent DV* |
|---|---|---|
| Cod liver oil, 1 tablespoon | 34.0 | 170 |
| Trout (rainbow), farmed, cooked, 3 ounces | 16.2 | 81 |
| Salmon (sockeye), cooked, 3 ounces | 14.2 | 71 |
| Mushrooms, white, raw, sliced, exposed to UV light, ½ cup | 9.2 | 46 |
| Milk, 2% milkfat, vitamin D fortified, 1 cup | 2.9 | 15 |
| Soy, almond, and oat milks, vitamin D fortified, various brands, 1 cup | 2.5-3.6 | 13-18 |
| Ready-to-eat cereal, fortified with 10% of the DV for vitamin D, 1 serving | 2.0 | 10 |
| Sardines (Atlantic), canned in oil, drained, 2 sardines | 1.2 | 6 |
| Egg, 1 large, scrambled** | 1.1 | 6 |
| Liver, beef, braised, 3 ounces | 1.0 | 5 |
| Tuna fish (light), canned in water, drained, 3 ounces | 1.0 | 5 |
| Cheese, cheddar, 1.5 ounce | 0.4 | 2 |
| Mushrooms, portabella, raw, diced, ½ cup | 0.1 | 1 |
| Chicken breast, roasted, 3 ounces | 0.1 | 1 |
| Beef, ground, 90% lean, broiled, 3 ounces | 0 | 0 |
| Broccoli, raw, chopped, ½ cup | 0 | 0 |
| Carrots, raw, chopped, ½ cup | 0 | 0 |
| Almonds, dry roasted, 1 ounce | 0 | 0 |
| Apple, large | 0 | 0 |
| Banana, large | 0 | 0 |
| Rice, brown, long-grain, cooked, 1 cup | 0 | 0 |
| Whole wheat bread, 1 slice | 0 | 0 |
| Lentils, boiled, ½ cup | 0 | 0 |
| Sunflower seeds, roasted, ½ cup | 0 | 0 |
| Edamame, shelled, cooked, ½ cup | 0 | 0 |
- ** Vitamin D is in the yolk.
