Vitamin D is a fundamental substance for the good health of our body, in particular the teeth, bones (since it regulates calcium metabolism), the nervous system and the heart. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteoporosis and anemia, while in children it can lead to rickets.
The best way to ensure your daily dose of this vitamin is to expose yourself to the sun daily for at least 15-20 minutes in this way, in fact, our body, through a reaction that occurs at the skin level, is able to synthesize it. As far as nutrition is concerned, however, there are very few foods that contain vitamin D, including: fish, milk and eggs.
However, they are not sufficient to reach the recommended daily quantity which starts from 5 mcg (200 International Units) up to 15/20 mcg (600-800 IU) depending on age. Under medical advice and in the case of particular conditions, much higher doses of this vitamin can be used.
Vitamin D deficiency is very frequent, especially in women of a certain age, but it is also often found in young people and adults of both sexes due to an incorrect lifestyle that always sees us closed in the house, office or workplace to the detriment of a healthy life in the open air.
Even children are not exempt from it, as the experts of the Italian Society of Paediatrics recently underlined. In some cases therefore, on the advice of your doctor, it may be necessary to take some supplements to prevent the reserves of this vitamin from becoming too low.
We have selected for you some Vitamin D3 supplements that can be useful in case of deficiencies certified by blood tests or to be taken in periods of the year when there is little sun or when you don’t spend much time outdoors.
However, we always remind you that, as reported on the packaging:
Supplements are not intended as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle
Always read the leaflet to know all the characteristics of the product and take it under the indication and following the advice of your doctor to avoid contraindications and obtain the desired results.
DKappa-Natural® Nutrigea
DKappa-Natural® Nutrigea is a vitamin D3 and K2 supplement of exclusively plant origin, formulated for those who want to support bone, muscle and immune well-being in a natural way.
Nutrigea recommends taking Vitamin D always in combination with Vitamin K2. K2 helps direct calcium towards bones and teeth, preventing it from depositing in other areas of the body, such as arteries or soft tissues.
The DKappa-Natural® formula combines Vitamin D3 from lichens, Vitamin K2 from fermentation, whole Klamath microalgae (Klamath RW® Max) and the patented Klamin® extract, in a rich nutritional synergy.
Vitamin D deficiency is today one of the most widespread nutritional conditions globally. DKappa-Natural® was created to respond to this need with a synergistic nutraceutical approach, starting from natural sources, also suitable for vegans and vegetarians*
Liquid vita D3 – Solgar
This Vitamin D3 supplement, flavored with orange flavour, is also suitable for vegetarians and is made in a very convenient form to take. In fact, it is a package of drops that allows you to calibrate the intake of the vitamin according to your needs. It does not need to be stored in the refrigerator and can always be carried with you to take it (as recommended on the package) with meals, for example by adding the drops to a piece of bread.
INGREDIENTS: Sunflower seed oil. Natural flavour: Freeze-dried orange. Vitamin D3.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION (10 drops): Vitamin D3 (1000 IU) 25 mcg
USE: Use 10 drops per day preferably with a meal. Packaged in 56 ml bottles
WARNINGS: Do not exceed the recommended dose. Keep out of reach of children under 3 years.
D Complex 1000 – Longlife
D complex 1000 is a high-dose vitamin D3 supplement that also combines vitamin K2 of natural origin. These two vitamins work synergistically to optimize the quantity and distribution of calcium in the bones. The package includes 60 tablets, to be taken every day, therefore useful for an integration of approximately 2 months.
INGREDIENTS: bulking agent (dibasic calcium phosphate), vitamin K-2 (menaquinone-7) of natural origin*, maltodextrin, thickener (sodium carboxymethylcellulose), anti-caking agent (vegetable magnesium stearate), thickeners (gum arabic and corn starch), sucrose, cholecalciferol (vitamin D-3), antioxidant (d-alpha tocopherol), anti-caking agent (tribasic calcium phosphate), glazing agents (talc, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and polyethylene glycol), colorant (titanium dioxide). *derived from natto, a traditional Japanese food made from fermented soybeans.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION (1 tablet): Vitamin D-3 25 mcg; Vitamin K-2 25 mcg
USE: 1 tablet per day with water during a meal.
WARNINGS: If you take anticoagulant drugs, consult your doctor before taking the product.
Vitamin D (400 IU AND 100 IU) – Metagenics
Metagenics offers two types of supplements of this vitamin: Vitamin D (400 IU and 1000 IU) suitable for all ages. These are chewable tablets with lemon flavour. The recommended daily intake of vitamin D varies depending on age and particular conditions such as pregnancy.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION: (1 tablet 1000 IU): Vitamin D3 25 mcg; (1 tablet 400 IU) Vitamin D3 10 mcg.
INGREDIENTS 400 IU: Sweeteners: mannitol and xylitol, anti-caking agent: sodium carboxymethylcellulose, flavourings: powdered lime juice, stabiliser: hydroxypropylcellulose, lime flavouring, acidifier: citric acid, anti-caking agent: magnesium stearate, flavouring, anti-caking agent: silicon dioxide, turmeric extract (Curcuma Longa L.), sweetener: steviol glycosides, cholecalciferol
INGREDIENTS 1000 IU: Sweeteners: mannitol and xylitol, anti-caking agent: sodium carboxymethylcellulose, powdered lime juice, stabilizer: hydroxypropylcellulose, lime flavouring, acidifier: citric acid, anti-caking agent: magnesium stearate, flavouring, anti-caking agent: silicon dioxide, sweetener: steviol glycosides, cholecalciferol
USE: 400 IU version 1/2 tablets for children and 2 for adolescents
1000 IU version, 1 tablet for adults, 1/2 for elderly and pregnant women
WARNINGS: Keep out of reach of children under 3 years. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Store in a cool, dry place. Caution is advised in patients suffering from renal failure, hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria.
Vegan D3 – Nutriva
Vitamin D3, expressly designed for those who follow a vegan diet, is the one proposed by Nutriva in a pack of 60 chewable tablets. This product is based exclusively on plant extracts, with active ingredients with high bioavailability. The special thing here is that the vitamin D comes from sustainably grown lichens from Iceland. It has no allergens, it is in fact free of sugars, salt, starch, milk and lactoderatives, gluten, yeast, soy, artificial colors and flavours, GMOs but contains sucrose.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION: (1 tablet): Vitamin D3 1000 IU – 25 mcg
INGREDIENTS: Sorbitol, Maltodextrin, Vitamin D3 (Vitashine® Cetraria islandica L. eo, Starch, Sucrose, Silicon Dioxide, antioxidants: d-alpha tocopherol, ascorbyl palmitate). Anti-caking agents: Stearic acid, Magnesium stearate.
USE: 1 chewable tablet per day with water, preferably with a meal.
WARNINGS: Do not exceed the recommended dose. Particular attention should be paid to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding and/or in case of drug therapy. Keep out of reach of children under 3 years.
Vitamin D3 5000 IU – Naturés Plus
In a pack of 60 capsules, this vitamin D supplement is particularly concentrated. While the others provide 1000 IU, in this case we are talking about 5000 IU for those who need greater integration (always and only under medical advice). The product does not contain gluten, yeast, wheat, corn, soy or milk.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION: Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) 125 mcg
USE: one capsule daily or as directed by your doctor.
INGREDIENTS: Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), safflower oil, gelatin, glycerin and purified water.
WARNINGS: Do not exceed the recommended doses. Consult your doctor before use if you have any medical condition, kidney disease, hypercalcemia, are taking medications, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Vitamin D3 5000 from mushrooms (VEGAN) – Naturés Plus
Another product designed to attract the attention of vegetarian and vegan consumers is also from Nature’s Plus which has extracted vitamin D3 from a variety of 8 mushrooms of certified organic origin as well as 100% vegetal origin. The 60 capsules that the package contains are yeast-free, gluten-free and hypoallergenic and also in this case contain a high dose of vitamin D for those who need greater integration.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION (for two capsules): Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) 5000 IU – 125 mcg
USE: 2 capsules per day
INGREDIENTS: (for two capsules): Certified blend of organic mushrooms: wood ear mushroom (Auricaria auricula), cordysim (Bionectaria ochroleuca), maitake (Grifola frondosa), shiitake (Lentinula edodes), ostrate agaric mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus, P. nebrodensis, P. eryngii), white wood ear mushroom (Tremella fuciformis). Certified Organic Whole Food Blend* (Rice Maltodextrin*, Rice Protein*, Acerola Extract*, Cayenne Pepper*, Broccoli Sprouts*, Cauliflower Sprouts*, Garlic*, Cordyceps Mycelia Mushroom* (Cordyceps sinensis), Ginger Root*, Kale Sprout*, Maitake Mycelia Mushroom* (Grifola frondosa), Lemon Peel*, Parsley*, Pure Juice beetroot*, pure carrot juice*, pure spirulina*, turmeric root*, shiitake mycelia mushroom* (Lentinula edodes), spinach*, tomato juice*, wild blueberry*, wild blueberry*, pure chlorella*). Capsule constituents: prebiotic polysaccharide pullulan (from Aureobasidium pullulans), carrageenan, purified water.
WARNINGS: do not exceed the recommended doses. Consult your doctor before use if you have any medical condition, kidney disease, hypercalcemia, are taking medications, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Francesca Biagioli
with the advice of Roberta Martinoli, surgeon and nutritional biologist
*Sources
