6 Min Read
Best Vitamin D
When it comes to finding the best vitamin D supplements, Canadians face unique challenges due to our long winters and limited sun exposure.
As per our expertise at Vitamart, the best vitamin D supplementation comes in various forms, from traditional tablets to innovative delivery methods like sprays and gummies.
In this guide, we'll explore different types of vitamin D supplements, their key benefits, how to choose the right form, and answer common questions about the best supplementation for your needs.
We'll also share practical tips for maximising the benefits of your vitamin D supplementation routine.
What this article covers:- Best Vitamin D Supplement Types
- Benefits of Vitamin D Supplements
- What Form of Vitamin D Is Best?
- Best Vitamin D FAQs
Best Vitamin D Supplement Types
Choosing the right type of vitamin D supplement is crucial for optimal absorption and efficacy.
Vitamin D fat soluble supplements made with olive oil, coconut oil as well as MCT oil require careful consideration since this affects how your body processes, stores, and utilises this essential nutrient. There are several high-quality options, each with unique advantages for different preferences.
Let's look closer at which supplement type can potentially suit your needs.
Vitamin D3 Supplements
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is the form most closely resembling what your body produces naturally from exposure to direct sunlight.
It's typically more effective at raising blood levels of vitamin D in contrast to other forms of the nutrient, such as vitamin D2, for instance.
There are various strengths of vitamin D3 available to suit different needs. This ranges from maintenance doses (600-800 IU a day) to therapeutic quantities (1000-2500 daily IU) recommended by medical practitioners in circumstances of severe deficiency or other serious medical conditions.
The bioavailability of vitamin D3 makes it an excellent choice for those looking to optimise their vitamin D status efficiently regardless of their age or lifestyle.
Many of our customers appreciate the simplicity and efficacy of vitamin D3 supplements. This is especially true during the long Canadian winters when natural vitamin D production is limited.
Vitamin D Drops
Liquid vitamin D drops provide excellent versatility with their dosing solutions.
This is especially helpful for young children or adults who struggle with swallowing pills or prefer more control over their intake, allowing them to be taken directly or added to beverages.
Drops also tend to have higher absorption rates due to their liquid form and direct contact with mucous membranes in the body.
After trying out this product, we discovered that liquid vitamin D allows for precise dosing and can be especially helpful for families, as drops can be easily adjusted for different age groups.
Vitamin D Gummies
While slightly more expensive and containing additional ingredients to achieve their chewy texture, vitamin D gummies remain an excellent option for consistent supplementation through a more enjoyable format.
Vitamin D in gummy formulations are carefully created. As such, they balance great taste with ample nutrition, ensuring you don't have to compromise effectiveness for enjoyability.
Vitamin D Sprays
Based on our first-hand experience, vitamin D sprays represent the latest innovation in supplementation.
On the whole, these sprays offer convenient, rapid absorption and are especially useful for those who live life on the go.
It delivers vitamin D directly into the bloodstream through the mouth's soft tissues. It does this while potentially bypassing some of the digestive issues which can typically affect supplement absorption, such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea.
This modern approach to supplementation has gained popularity among our busy customers in Canada who value efficacy in their health routine and vigorous lifestyle.
Benefits of Vitamin D Supplements
There are a number of benefits for consistently taking a vitamin D supplement.
This is helped by the integral relationship between vitamin D and hormones. Vitamin D also acts as a hormone, making it pivotal for numerous bodily functions and an essential nutrient for overall well being.
Let's take a closer look at the vital role which vitamin D supplements often play in the body.
Immune Function
Vitamin D is pivotal for maintaining a robust immune system.
It helps activate immune cells and regulate immune responses, potentially minimising the risk of infections and autoimmune conditions.
For Canadians dealing with long winters and minimal sunlight, regular supplementation can help bridge the gap when natural sources of vitamin D are limited, bolstering your body's defence mechanisms year-round.
Mood Regulation
Vitamin D supplementation is particularly important for mood regulation.
Maintaining sufficient vitamin D quantities may help with reducing depression and bolstering emotional well-being.
Many of our Canadian customers have reported improved mood and energy levels after establishing a consistent vitamin D supplementation routine, particularly during the colder autumn and winter seasons.
Muscle Function
Vitamin D plays a vital role in muscle strength and function. Adequate amounts in your system help conserve muscle mass and lower the risk of falls, particularly in older adults with osteoporosis.
For active Canadians, vitamin D supplementation can even support your athletic performance and recovery.
Moreover, regarding the correlation between vitamin D and dementia, studies show that vitamin D's calcium regulation can help with maintenance of brain tissue and cognitive function in people with dementia.
What Form of Vitamin D Is Best?
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is generally considered the best form of vitamin D. It's more effective at raising and preserving your blood vitamin D levels compared to vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol).
D3 is also the form your body naturally produces from sunlight exposure, making it more bioavailable and efficient.
When comparing vitamin D softgels vs tablets, we believe that softgels are the best choice between the two options.
Vitamin D softgels typically offer better absorption due to their liquid base, making them excellent for those with sensitive digestive systems. The oil-based formula (usually made with olive oil, coconut oil and MCT oil) can enhance the absorption of this fat-soluble vitamin, potentially improving its efficacy.
Vitamin D tablets, while often more cost-effective and shelf-stable, may take longer to break down and absorb. However, our findings show that they still remain a reliable option for many users in Canada.
Overall, each type of vitamin D supplement previously mentioned has its advantages, and the best selection often depends on your individual preferences and needs.
We've found that personal factors such as lifestyle, overall absorption, and convenience also play critical parts in determining the most suitable supplementation for each person.
Best Vitamin D FAQs
How Long Does It Take For Vitamin D Supplements To Work?
Most people begin to notice improvements in their overall well-being after a few weeks. With that said, it may take as long as 2-3 months to reach optimal amounts with vitamin D supplements.
Factors which can affect this timeline include your:
- initial vitamin D status
- dosage
- individual absorption rates
Regular monitoring through 25-hydroxyvitamin D tests can help track your progress and adjust supplementation as needed.
Can You Take Vitamin D On An Empty Stomach?
If you're wondering, “Can you take vitamin D on an empty stomach?” vitamin D is fat-soluble, which means you can take it in a softgel format with fatty properties comprising olive oil, coconut oil or MCT oil alongside a large meal containing healthy fats to significantly improve digestion and absorption.
Alternatively, some people prefer taking their supplements with breakfast to establish a consistent routine, while others find different times of day more convenient, particularly without food.
The key is finding a schedule that works best for you and sticking to it in ways which won't impede your overall digestion or absorption.
Can You Get Enough Vitamin D From The Sun Alone?
For most Canadians, sun exposure alone for adequate vitamin D intake isn't sufficient, especially during the winter months. Based on our observations, factors like clothing, sunscreen, and limited outdoor time make supplementation necessary.
Additionally, Canada's northern latitude means that the sun's rays aren't strong enough for adequate vitamin D production during much of the year.
As such, this makes supplementation an important consideration for maintaining optimal well being.
Conclusion
In this guide, we uncovered everything you need to know about finding the best vitamin D supplement for your needs.
From understanding different formats to learning about crucial benefits, we've covered the essential aspects of vitamin D supplementation for Canadians.
Ready to optimise your vitamin D intake? Visit us at Vitamart now to explore our carefully curated selection of premium vitamin D supplements, designed to support your health all year long.
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