What is the Best Time To Take Vitamin D?
Let’s D-iscuss Vitamin D today! (Pun oh so intended.)
Here’s a simple fact: in order to live your most fabulous life, you need to take care of your body. After all, your body is your home, and that means supporting it in whichever ways you can. If you’re looking for a practical way to do that, we have some great news for you.
Including vitamins in your self-care routine is an amazing start, and here at Cosmos Vita, we’re here to support you on your wellness journey. Part of that means helping you figure out exactly what that journey looks like.
Everyone’s wellness routine will (and should!) look a little different, but there are some things you should keep in mind. One of those is when the best time to take certain vitamins is. So if you’re wondering when you should take your Vitamin D supplement, we have the answer. You’ll thank us later!
What is Vitamin D?
You’ve probably heard of Vitamin D during your yearly physical with your doctor. It’s also known as calciferol, and it’s a fat-soluble vitamin that occurs naturally in some foods, can be added to others, or can be taken as a dietary supplement (like our Beaming supplement!). Some of these foods where Vitamin D occurs naturally include fish, fish liver oils, and egg yolks, to name a few.
If you’ve ever heard that spending time in the sun is good for your vitamin D intake, that’s also true! Vitamin D is often referred to as “the sunshine vitamin.” It can be produced when ultraviolet (UV) rays emitting from the sunshine strike your skin. This triggers what’s known as vitamin D synthesis (cool, right?).
That being said, it can be difficult to get the right amount of vitamin D necessary, and it’s important to not be deficient in this vitamin -- or any vitamin, for that matter.
There are certain people who are at higher risk for vitamin D deficiency. This includes people who don’t spend a lot of time in the sun (or live in an area where there isn’t much sun), suffer with milk allergies, or even those who adhere to a very stringent vegan diet.
Why is Vitamin D Important?
Having the right amount of Vitamin D is super important because it promotes plenty of proper bodily functions -- and that includes making sure your teeth and bones are strong. That being said, more and more research indicates that vitamin D is useful to protect you against a variety of potential health problems.
In the body, Vitamin D plays a variety of roles. It helps:
- Support immune health
- Support cardiovascular (heart) health
- Promote healthy teeth and bones
- Support the health of your brain and nervous system
- Maintain healthy insulin levels
- Support respiratory function
Vitamin D is perhaps most famous for its role in promoting healthy teeth and bones. This is because it plays a large part in helping with calcium absorption and maintaining phosphorus levels in your blood.
How Can I Tell If I’m Vitamin D Deficient?
If you’re concerned that you are vitamin D deficient, never fear! It’s estimated that approximately 1 billion people across the world have low levels of Vitamin D, so you’re in good company. That being said, boosting those vitamin D levels is important to support your body with the variety of functions noted above, so you should definitely consider a supplement.
If you think you’re suffering from a vitamin D deficiency, there are several things that you should look out for that could be tell-tale signs. A simple blood test is the most direct way to gain a greater understanding of where you’re at in regards to vitamin D intake, but some of these symptoms can also point to a deficiency and are important to note.
If you get sick or infected often - You find yourself home sick. All. The. Freaking. Time. What gives? Well, turns out a vitamin D deficiency can be to blame. One of the vitamin’s most important jobs is supporting immune health.
Frequent fatigue or tiredness - Tiredness is a pretty common problem, and there could be a variety of culprits. And yes, you guessed it, vitamin D can be one of them! Unfortunately, this particular cause is frequently overlooked.
If your bones or back hurts - Because vitamin D helps maintain your bone health and even improves how your body absorbs calcium, bone pain and lower back pain could indicate that you’re lacking vitamin D to support them.
If you feel depressed - First of all, let’s talk about mental health. If you’re feeling depressed, seeking professional help from a psychologist or mental health counselor is the way to go. That being said, vitamin D deficiency has been linked to depression. Your mental health is just as critical as physical health, so the importance of taking care of this cannot be stressed enough!
If you’re experiencing bone loss - Because of the role vitamin D plays in calcium absorption and also bone metabolism, a lot of older people who experience bone loss typically think calcium will help. Oftentimes, however, they’re also vitamin D deficient.
If you have muscle pain - One study revealed that 71% of people with chronic muscle pain were found to be deficient in vitamin D. If you have muscle pain, a vitamin D deficiency could be (at least partially) to blame.
If you’re experiencing hair loss - A lot of times, if you’re experiencing hair loss, signs point to stress as the culprit. That being said, if the hair loss is severe, it could be caused from a nutrient deficiency -- definitely a good idea to consult your doctor about!
Of course, any or all of these symptoms can point to something that isn’t vitamin D deficiency, so if you find yourself overall not feeling well, head to your doctor to get a quick checkup. They might suggest you get a blood test, which will ultimately be helpful to diagnose a vitamin deficiency.
In addition, if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s a solid idea to at least check in with your doctor. Since your doctor knows your medical history, they’ll be able to give you a more thorough understanding of what exactly is causing your ailment.
When is the Best Time To Take Vitamin D?
After all this info, vitamin D supplements may seem like a good fit for your health stack. Picture this: you’ve got Cosmos Vita’s Beaming Vitamin D3 gummies on the way to your house. They’re non-GMO, vegan, and dye-free… what could be better? Beaming is made with simple ingredients (and a lot of love!) so you can enjoy all of the benefits of the sunshine vitamin to keep your muscles and bones strong! Now that you’ve found the perfect vitamin D supplement, you’re looking to incorporate taking your vitamins into your routine. Luckily, we’re here to help you figure out the perfect time to take your Vitamin D gummies.
First, let’s talk about how important it is to take your vitamin at a certain time. This can help ensure that your body will be able to maximize its absorption and efficiency. Therefore, sticking to a plan and taking your vitamin at the same time every day is the right move -- not to mention it will help get you into a healthy habit!
Because vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin (aka it doesn’t dissolve in water), it’s best absorbed into your body’s bloodstream when you pair it with a food that’s high in fat. That’s why it’s often recommended that you take your supplement with a meal.
This can help enhance the body’s fat-soluble vitamin absorption. Some foods that would pair well with your vitamin D supplement include avocado, nuts, seeds, eggs, and even full-fat dairy items.
So, the next time you’re enjoying some avocado toast, don’t forget to take your vitamin D gummy!
In Summary
Calling vitamin D important is an understatement. There’s no way to describe exactly how crucial this vitamin is to your body, and that’s why you should ensure that you’re getting enough of it.
While it can be difficult to figure out if you have a deficiency, several symptoms can point to lack of vitamin D as the culprit. That being said, you can always go to your doctor and simply get a blood test if you have questions.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means it pairs beautifully with foods that are high in fat, and meals. You’re giving your body the best chance to soak up all of this vitamin’s goodness when you take it with a meal, so we recommend you do precisely that!
SOURCES:
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/
https://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/vitamin-d-deficiency#1
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-d-deficiency-symptoms
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-time-to-take-vitamin-d