The Interaction Between Vitamin D and Calcium
Vitamin D and Calcium are two essential components of health and wellness. Calcium is a mineral that the body cannot produce but can be obtained through several foods, drinks, and supplements. While Vitamin D is also available in foods and drinks, your body can naturally produce Vitamin D when you spend time in the sun.
Most people know calcium and Vitamin D are essential for maintaining healthy bones and teeth. However, only some understand how these vitamins and minerals work or even that they work together. If you have been curious and want to understand how vitamin d3 and calcium work together, you have come to the right place! This guide examines how these compounds combine to provide healthy bones and teeth.
Vitamin D
Contrary to what you may think, Vitamin D is not naturally present in many foods or beverages. It is, however, often added to dairy products, specifically milk, due to its numerous health benefits. You can also find small amounts of Vitamin D in egg yolks and fish, but plenty of time in the sun is the primary source of Vitamin D.
Sunlight hits your skin and initiates a process that creates Vitamin D. However, because skin cancer is a significant concern, it is vital to protect yourself while soaking up Vitamin D.
Role of Vitamin D in the body
Vitamin D does not magically access your bones and make them stronger. Instead, it is a hormone that helps your body transport, absorb, and use calcium. Without Vitamin D, your body can only use so much calcium, often insufficient to support your needs. You can eat as much calcium as you want, but your body can only utilize it if you have enough Vitamin D in your system.
Vitamin D-deficiency symptoms
Due to the essential nature of Vitamin D, you will experience physical and mental symptoms without sufficient amounts of it.
- Weakened immune system
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Hair loss
- Pale skin
- Depression and mood swings
- Bone pain
- Body aches
Vitamin D deficiency also increases your risk of developing rickets, osteoporosis, liver and kidney diseases, and hyperthyroidism.
Calcium
As with Vitamin D, calcium is crucial to maintaining bone, tooth, and mental health. It is a mineral that your body does not produce naturally but is available in several foods, drinks, and supplements, including the following:
- Cheese
- Milk
- Other dairy products
- Broccoli
- Kale
- Spinach
- Sardines
- Salmon
- Soy products
- Calcium-fortified juices and cereals
Role of calcium in the body
While Vitamin D helps your body utilize and transport calcium, calcium strengthens your bones and teeth. These two components contain more than 99% of all the calcium in the body. Calcium also plays a role in muscle contraction, maintaining a healthy heart rhythm, blood clotting, and more.
Calcium-deficiency symptoms
Because of how closely calcium and vitamin D are linked, calcium deficiency symptoms are very similar to Vitamin D deficiency symptoms.
- Spasms, aches, and cramps in the muscles
- Achy bones
- Tooth decay and other oral problems
- Numbness and tingling of the feet, hands, legs, arms, and mouth
- Seizures
- Abnormal heart patterns or rhythms
- Confusion
- Depression and mood swings
Interaction between vitamin D and calcium
As we briefly mentioned, Vitamin D3 and calcium work together within the human body.1 You can consume all the calcium in the world, but your body can only use so much of it if you do not have enough Vitamin D. Vitamin D helps your bones and the rest of your body absorb calcium and helps to maximize its usefulness.
Maintaining an optimal balance between calcium and Vitamin D is crucial. If you have too little of either one, it can lead to hyperparathyroidism, osteoporosis, and other bone and hormone disorders. The consequences of absorbing too much calcium or vitamin D can lead to kidney stones, kidney damage, or other problems.
Vitamin D and calcium supplementation
Unfortunately, not everyone can get enough calcium and Vitamin D into their systems through dietary and lifestyle changes alone. When this happens, calcium and vitamin D supplements are necessary.
While everyone can likely benefit from increasing their Vitamin D and calcium intake, women should be especially conscious of meeting their daily requirements. Studies have shown that women are more prone to vitamin D and calcium insufficiencies than men. However, because taking too much vitamin D and calcium is possible, you should always consult a doctor before taking supplements.
Summary
As you can see, Vitamin D and Calcium are critical to your health and wellness, specifically your bone and oral health. Not having enough of these vitamins and minerals can lead to several debilitating and life-threatening conditions. Therefore, you must consult a physician and determine if you need to increase or decrease the amount of vitamin D and calcium in your diet.
Vitamin D Shots with Drip Hydration
Our vitamin D shouts can help ensure that you get enough of this essential vitamin D. We make it easy to get vitamin therapy by bringing your appointment directly to you whether you’re at the gym, office, home, or somewhere else. Our IV treatments are a fast and convenient way to get the benefits of vitamin infusions and generally last between 30 - 45 minutes.
In addition to our IVs, we offer select add-ons such as anti-nausea or anti-inflammatory medications, glutathione shots, and B12 shots to provide further benefits and help you feel your best.
If you want to know more about our treatments or the places we service, give us a call! We’ll be happy to answer anything you’d like to know about vitamin D drips.
Vitamin D Shots - Frequently Asked Questions
Can you take too much vitamin D?
Yes, it is possible to take too much vitamin D. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means that it can build up in the body and potentially lead to toxic levels if it is consumed in large amounts. Vitamin D toxicity can cause hypercalcemia, a buildup of calcium in your blood. This condition can cause symptoms such as weakness, nausea, vomiting, frequent urination, kidney problems, and more.
How often do you need vitamin D shots?
Frequency of treatment depends on individual circumstances such as the severity of vitamin D deficiency, medical history, and other factors. However, most people may receive 1 – 3 shots over the course of a year.
Are vitamin D shots better than oral supplements?
Yes. Because vitamin D shots are given intramuscularly, the ingredients bypass your digestive system so that the full dose is available to your body for maximum benefits. Vitamin D shots are rapidly available for your cells to use.
What happens if you don’t treat vitamin D deficiency?
Not treating vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets, a rare but treatable condition that causes fatigue, frequent illnesses, depression, and impacts bone and muscle health. In children, vitamin D deficiency can impact normal growth and development.
Who Should Take Vitamin D Shots?
Vitamin D injections may be recommended for people who have a deficiency of vitamin D, which can lead to conditions such as osteoporosis, rickets, and other bone disorders. Injections may also be recommended for people who have difficulty absorbing vitamin D from the gastrointestinal tract, such as those with inflammatory bowel disease or other conditions that affect nutrient absorption. In addition, vitamin D injections may be recommended for people who are at risk of deficiency due to factors such as a lack of sun exposure, a poor diet, or certain medications.
How do I know if I am vitamin D deficient?
The only way to know for sure if you are vitamin D deficient is to get your blood tested. Your doctor can order a blood test to measure your levels of vitamin D and determine if you have a deficiency.
What are the Side Effects of Taking Too Much Vitamin D?
Taking too much vitamin D can lead to toxicity, which can cause a range of symptoms. These can include nausea, vomiting, weakness, and frequent urination. In severe cases, vitamin D toxicity can lead to damage to the kidneys and the heart. To avoid toxicity, it is important to not exceed the recommended daily allowance of vitamin D, which varies depending on your age and other factors.
So how much Vitamin D do I actually need to take?
The recommended daily allowance of vitamin D varies depending on a person's age, sex, and other factors. In general, the recommended daily allowance for adults is 600-800 IU per day. However, older adults, people with dark skin, and those who have limited sun exposure may need higher doses.
What foods are rich in vitamin D?
There are a few dietary sources of vitamin D, including fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and tuna, and egg yolks. Some foods, such as milk, orange juice, and cereals, are also fortified with vitamin D. However, it can be difficult to get enough vitamin D from dietary sources alone, especially if you do not eat fatty fish or fortified foods regularly.
How does calcium interact with Vitamin D?
Calcium is an essential mineral that is important for maintaining strong bones and teeth. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps your body absorb calcium. When your body doesn't get enough calcium, it can take calcium from your bones, which can lead to bone loss and osteoporosis. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium from the food you eat, so getting enough of both is important for maintaining healthy bones.
How much vitamin D should I take daily?
The daily recommended dosage of vitamin D for children under the age of 12 months is 400 international units (IU), 600 IU for individuals aged 1 to 70 years, and 800 IU for those over 70 years.