Calcium should always be taken together with vitamin D, because the body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding need the same amount of calcium and vitamin D as other women their age. Vitamin D supplements can be taken with or without food, and the full amount can be taken at one time. While your body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium, you don't need to take vitamin D at the same time as a calcium supplement.
If you need help choosing a vitamin D supplement, ask your healthcare provider to recommend one. The combination of calcium and vitamin D is a supplement that helps promote bone health, treat calcium deficiency and protect against osteoporosis. Given the crucial role of both nutrients in bone health, the Endocrine Society and the Institute of Medicine recommend certain levels of consumption depending on age and health. However, they have not yet discovered that vitamin D intake provides cardiovascular protection.
People with osteoporosis and low bone mass should discuss their vitamin D levels with their healthcare provider to ensure that they are getting an optimal amount. Use the combination of calcium and vitamin D (Calcium 500+D) exactly as directed on the label or as prescribed by your doctor. Healthy adults without vitamin D deficiency should be able to get adequate amounts of vitamin D from sunlight and eat a well-balanced diet. To determine how much calcium a particular food contains, check the nutrition facts panel for the daily value (DV).
Very high levels of vitamin D (above 10,000 IU per day) can cause kidney and tissue damage. Erin Hunter A new review identified vitamin D as an important factor in maintaining the health and function of endothelial progenitor cells, which may affect the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Too many Americans don't get the amount of calcium they need every day, which can lead to bone loss, low bone density, and even broken bones. Before adding a vitamin D supplement, check if any of the other supplements, multivitamins, or medications you're taking contain vitamin D.
The amount of calcium and vitamin D you'll need depends on your age, gender, the amount of calcium you get from the foods you eat, and other factors. An easy way to add calcium to many foods is to add one tablespoon of skimmed milk powder, which contains approximately 50 mg of calcium. Children need vitamin D to build strong bones, and adults need it to keep their bones strong and healthy. Use the following guide for ideas on other calcium-rich foods to add to your weekly shopping list.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any multivitamin, mineral supplement, or antacid while you are taking a combination of calcium and vitamin D. The amount of vitamin D your skin can produce depends on the time of day, season, latitude, skin pigmentation, age, and other factors. Calcium and vitamin D are essential for building strong, dense bones when you're young and for keeping them strong and healthy as you age.