Vitamin D is a popular subject. Known as the sunshine vitamin, it has several important roles in our bodies. The most important role of vitamin D is to regulate the absorption of calcium, because its active form, calcitriol, increases the absorption of calcium up to 80%. The base level of absorption is just around 10–15% [1].

In addition to regulating calcium´s absorption, we need vitamin D:

  • to regulate the absorption of phosphorus
  • for development of bones and teeth
  • for blood clotting and normal heart functioning
  • to decrease the risk of infection and diabetes [2]

There is a lot of research about vitamin D and in addition to above mentioned tasks, it is known that sufficient amount of vitamin D in our bodies helps to prevent some forms of cancer, because vitamin D participates in regulating the immune system and for example, decreases the formation of cytokines in our bodies that cause infection [1]. Therefore, vitamin D is a very important vitamin and deserves a lot of attention.

Men and women from 18 years – Synlab

Your vitamin D level (nmol/l) Minimum daily intake of vitamin D to achieve the optimal level (mcg) Minimum intake during autumn-spring to maintain the optimal level (mcg) Total minimum daily intake of vitamin D (mcg)
≤10

20

30

40

50

60

70

≥80

≥140

≥250

100

85

75

65

55

45

25

0

0

0

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

Take a break for 1 month, continue with 25

Take a break for 2-3 months, continue with 25

125

110

100

90

80

70

50

25

0

0

Your vitamin D level and suggested intake for children, 13-17 years – Synlab

Your vitamin D level (nmol/l) Minimum daily intake of vitamin D to achieve the optimal level (mcg) Minimum intake during autumn-spring to maintain the optimal level (mcg) Total minimum daily intake of vitamin D (mcg)
≤10

20

30

40

50

60

70

≥80

≥140

≥250

75

75

75

65

55

45

25

0

0

0

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

Take a break for 1-2 months, continue with 25

Consult with a doctor, take a break for 2-3 months, continue with 25

100

100

100

90

80

70

50

25

0

0

Did you know that…?

Did you know that people, who spend a lot of time in the sun have vitamin D levels in the range of 100–200 nmol/l [3]. It is not possible to get too much vitamin D from the sun, because our bodies regulate the formation of vitamin D. You can get too much vitamin D when you supplement incorrectly or when the manufacturer has dosaged the amount of vitamin D incorrectly. Toxic level of vitamin D is calcidiol being over 375 nmol/l. For that you should supplement with vitamin D over a long period of time and use daily about 250 μg, which is 10 000 IU, i.e. international units. Vitamin D poisoning causes hypercalcemia, i.e. too much calcium is absorbed by the body. When the level of calcium is not balanced, calcium and also phosphorus start to accumulate into soft tissues, especially to heart, kidneys, blood circulation and respiratory system, but also to other tissues [1]. For that you should use big amounts of vitamin D over a long period of time. Vitamin D deficiency is very common and cases of poisoning have been related to incorrect supplementing of big amounts of vitamin D over a long period of time.

In 2017 the Estonian Veterinary and Food Board checked some of the vitamin D supplements sold in Estonia to ensure that the amount of vitamin D in the product was the same as the dosage on the label. From 20 products analyzed, it appeared that 3 were marked incorrectly. 3 products out of 10 had incorrect vitamin D dosage compared to what was written on the label. One had more and one had less vitamin D in the product than written on the label. In one case, the product did not contain any vitamin D [4]. How is this possible? Vitamin D is dosaged in micrograms. 1 microgram is only 0,000001 grams. It is difficult to prepare supplements in micrograms. This does not mean that manufacturers can sell such products where dosage is incorrect – it is the responsibility of the manufacturer to ensure the correct dosage of minerals and vitamins. Some of the manufacturers may not analyze their products because analyses are expensive.

Always ensure that the dosage of your vitamin D supplement has been checked by the manufacturer! If you are not sure, ask the manufacturer. For example, a Danish company incorrectly dosaged the vitamin D content in 2016 and the product contained 75 times more vitamin D than written on the label. This caused many children to get hospital care [5].

We always check the content of minerals and vitamins for every supplement batch to ensure that the dosage has been successful. When buying Nôgel´s products, you can be sure that there is not too much or less vitamin D in the product.

Nôgel´s selection includes three different vitamin D suplements:

  • for babies 440 IU per drop
  • children and adults 1200 IU and 4000 IU per drop
  • olive oil produced from 100% of Spanish high-quality Arbequina olives in our vitamin D supplement for babies
  • in other vitamin D supplements, we use Estonian sea buckthorn oil (based on olive oil) for the very first time on the market, which is freshly produced by our sea buckthorn farmer
  • 1 bottle = 5 cents to Tartu University Hospital Children´s Foundation, which is one of the oldest charity foundations in Estonia.

Sources:

[1] A.Aro, M.Mutanen, M.Uusitupa,, Nutrition Science, 4.–7.volume, 2017
[2] Estonian National Institute for Health Development
[3] Raulio S, Erlund I, Männistö S, ym. Successful nutrition policy: improvement of vitamin D intake and status in Finnish adults over the last decade. Eur J Public Health (2017) 27 (2): 268-273
[4] Estonian Veterinary and Food Board: https://vet.agri.ee/et/uudised/veterinaar-ja-toiduamet-tutvustas-toidulisandite-analuuside-tulemusi
[5] Postimees, media: https://tervis.postimees.ee/3803269/taanlaste-d-vitamiin-viis-lapsed-haiglasse/em>[6] SYNLAB Estonia

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