Using Vitamin D Drops As A Supplement?

Answer 1

Good Vitamin D Sources

Vitamin D drops are a liquid form of vitamin D that can be used to administer a dose to infants, or that can be used for adults who might have difficulty swallowing solid pills or other supplements. Sometimes, the drops are preferred over pills because there is a higher concentration of vitamin D in the liquid. Vitamin D is very important to the body for the proper absorption of calcium. With too much or too little vitamin D, calcium does not behave properly and can result in low bone density in adults and a condition called rickets in infants. Calcium cannot properly be processed without vitamin D, so both are important to the health of the body.

Vitamin D is one of the more unique vitamins. For most individuals, the largest source of vitamin D is the sun. Exposure to direct sunlight for just 15 to 30 minutes each day is enough to provide someone with the recommended daily allowance of vitamin D. Food based sources of vitamin D are rare, with oily fish like salmon and swordfish being the main providers. Processed foods are often fortified with vitamin D, as is seen with milk products so that the calcium in the milk can be properly absorbed by the body.

There are certain situations where vitamin D drops might be necessary to supplement the vitamins gained from food and sunlight, or to prevent a serious deficiency. Individuals who live in extreme northern regions where there is limited sunlight each day might need a supplement. Similarly, those who do not regularly go into the sun each day could need to use drops. As a person grows older, the daily recommended allowance of vitamin D increases to help combat conditions like osteoporosis and decreased efficiency in the chemical conversion processes. In all of these instances, supplements like vitamin D drops can be used to compensate for low vitamin D levels.

One concern about using vitamin D drops is the concentration of the vitamin in the liquid. Usually, only a single drop is required to exceed the daily recommended allowance of the vitamin. Taking too much vitamin D can lead to absorption of excess calcium into the bloodstream. Over time this excess calcium can cause calcification in the veins and arteries, possibly leading to critical problems like arrhythmia or stroke.