How Much Vitamin D Do I Need

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How much do you know about the role vitamin D plays in health and wellness? For the body, Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium, a mineral everyone needs for bone growth, strength, and protection from diseases like osteoporosis. Vitamin D is found in diary, eggs, and fish, and is absorbed in the skin when exposed to sunlight. (Read more about Vitamin D on Medicinenet.com) Healthy people under the age of 70 need about 600 IU of Vitamin D daily, and Liquid Calcium Softgels with Natural Vitamin D3 provides the recommended amount when taken daily.

The Mental Link

Vitamin D is also a vital nutrient for mental health, and many studies have shown that inadequate levels of vitamin D in the diet correspond to depression. The British Journal of Psychiatry reviewed several studies exploring the link and concluded that the correlation does exist. Here's a direct quote from their research: "Vitamin D is a unique neurosteroid hormone that may have an important role in the development of depression." BJP researchers write that more than two-thirds of people in the United States don't get enough Vitamin D. The reason why there's such a national deficiency range from the fact that some people who stay indoors most (or all) of the time don't get enough sunlight for proper absorption, to the reality that there just aren't very many foods that have naturally-occurring vitamin D. (View a list of foods on Nutritiondata.self.com and their respective IUs of vitamin D.) In fact, the National Institute of Health explains here that "obtaining sufficient vitamin D from natural food sources alone is difficult," which is why awareness of the importance of vitamin D in the daily diet is critical. NIH also recommends eating vitamin-D fortified foods, such as some juices and breakfast cereals, as well as taking dietary supplements. Ensuring you have the adequate amount of vitamin D to maintain healthy bones and positive mental health means reviewing the foods you're eating, adjusting your diet when necessary, and taking nutritional supplements to bridge the gap.