Vitamin D3 125 mcg (5000 IU) Supplement

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Both forms are effective, it is a matter of personal preference. The best form to take is one that you will take consistently.

Some people prefer a liquid form for these reasons:

Flexible dosing: Liquid Vitamin D allows you to easily adjust the amount you take, which can be helpful if your healthcare provider recommends a specific dose.

Ease of use: It’s a convenient option for those who have difficulty swallowing pills or softgels.

Versatility: Liquid drops can be taken directly or added to food or beverages.

It’s important to be mindful of your total vitamin D intake when combining different supplements. Our Vitamin D3 125 mcg (5000 IU) is often recommended for people with low blood levels of vitamin D, or those whose healthcare provider has suggested a higher daily dose. The Daily Multivitamin and Original Multivitamin also contain 50 mcg (2000 IU) of vitamin D3. When taken together your total would be (175 mcg) 7000 IU daily.  The tolerable upper intake level (UL) for vitamin D set by the National Academies of Medicine is (100 mcg) 4000 IU daily for adults. However, many healthcare providers recommend higher amounts when blood levels are low, and research shows that doses up to 10,000 IU daily are generally considered safe for healthy adults under medical supervision. Because individual needs vary, the best way to know if you’re getting the right amount is to check your vitamin D level with a blood test and review your supplement routine with your doctor.

Vitamin D can be taken at any time of day that fits your routine.† Because it is fat-soluble, taking it with a meal that contains some healthy fat may support absorption.† The most important factor is taking it consistently each day to help maintain adequate vitamin D levels.†

Osteoporosis is a major public health issue affecting bone health that is becoming more common in both women and men. Learn more about supplements as part of an overall approach may support your goal of having and maintaining strong bones.†

Yes. Certain dietary supplements may not be appropriate for individuals who have donated a kidney, especially those that could place additional strain on kidney function. Ingredients to be cautious about include:

• Creatine†

• Ephedra (ma huang)

• DHEA†

• Kava†

• Chromium picolinate†

These substances may affect kidney function†, particularly when taken in high doses or over long periods.

If you’ve donated a kidney, it’s essential to speak with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, including vitamins, minerals, or herbal products.

Both vitamin D and vitamin K are fat-soluble vitamins that support bone health†. Vitamin K2 helps guide calcium into the bones and away from the arteries†. While vitamin K2 does not impact the absorption of vitamin D, taking vitamin D with a meal that contains healthy fats can improve its absorption†. Vitamin K can interact with some blood thinners, so ask your physician before adding vitamin K if you are taking a blood thinner medication.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means it may be better absorbed when taken with a meal containing some fat.†

High doses of vitamin d, as well as high blood levels of vitamin D, may interfere with the body’s production of melatonin†, resulting in a deterioration in sleep quality†. Consult with your physician for the dosage that is right for you.

If you are taking Coumadin or Warfarin, we recommend consulting your doctor before adding any supplements to your diet.

A study published in The Clinical Journal of Pain found obese individuals with knee osteoarthritis who had higher levels of vitamin D experienced less knee pain than those with deficient or insufficient levels of vitamin D†. In the study of 256 middle-aged and older adults with osteoarthritis, the participants provided a self-report of knee pain and completed functional performance tasks that included balancing, walking and rising from a sitting position to a standing position. The participants with healthy vitamin D levels had less knee osteoarthritis pain†, and could also walk, balance and rise from sitting to standing better than obese participants with insufficient vitamin D levels. While this study focused on serum vitamin D status, not supplementation, it highlights the importance of maintaining adequate vitamin D levels.

How much is needed varies considerably based on age, skin tone, time of year, sun exposure, where one lives, weight, and other factors. Cooper Clinic suggests consulting with your physician on your specific intake based on your vitamin D test results, age, and health issues.

The recommended target level for vitamin D is a topic of ongoing research and expert discussion. Many health professionals agree that a minimum of 30 ng/mL is acceptable. However, doctors at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, Texas, recommend patients target at least 40 ng/ml as a baseline. A level of 50 ng/ml is considered optimal for brain health†.

Vitamin D levels in humans vary dramatically by season, latitude and race. The avoidance of UV exposure has led to widespread low vitamin D levels. There are very few food sources (fatty fish, cod liver oil, fortified milk and fortified cereals) of vitamin D. Most people will have higher vitamin D levels during warmer months due to intentional or unintentional sun exposure. People living in the northeastern United States are at higher risk for vitamin D deficiency due to the lack of sunshine for much of the year. Darker-toned individuals with more melanin in their skin may have a reduced ability to produce vitamin D from sun exposure.

The only way to know your vitamin D level is to have a blood test known as 25 hydroxyvitamin D. Because vitamin D comes from food, sunshine, and dietary supplements, the amount needed can vary from person to person. In blood tests, vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) is measured in either nanomoles per liter (nmol/L) or nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). One nmol/L equals 0.4 ng/mL, so 20 ng/mL is the same as 50 nmol/L.

• Levels below 12 ng/mL (30 nmol/L) are too low and may weaken bones and affect health†.
• Levels above 50 ng/mL (125 nmol/L) are too high and not recommended.

There are two primary reasons why most of us lack vitamin D, according to the authors of the Archives of Internal Medicine article. The most significant factor is the increased use of sunscreen. Sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 decreases vitamin D synthesis by 99 percent. In addition, decreased outdoor activity and obesity are associated with vitamin D insufficiency.

A study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Feb. 2015, found that vitamin D3 absorption increased by 32 percent when taken with a meal, where 30 percent of the calories in the meal came from fat.