Risk Factors For Low Vitamin D
Risk factors for low vitamin D include:
- Being overweight
- Having chronic kidney or liver disease
- Being unable to absorb enough vitamin D because of inflammatory disease, surgery, or radiation therapy
- Taking certain medications. These may include steroids, HIV treatments, seizure medications, and medicines to treat fungal infections.
What Are Vitamins D And K
Vitamin D and vitamin K are essential, fat-soluble nutrients.
They are generally most abundant in high-fat foods, and their absorption into the bloodstream is enhanced when they are consumed with fat.
Often called the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D is abundant in fatty fish and fish oil, but its also produced by your skin when its exposed to sunlight.
One of vitamin Ds primary functions is to promote calcium absorption and maintain adequate calcium levels in your blood. A vitamin D deficiency may cause bone loss.
Vitamin K is found in leafy greens, fermented legumes and vegetables, as well as in some fatty, animal-sourced foods, such as egg yolk, liver and cheese.
Its necessary for blood clotting and promotes the accumulation of calcium in your bones and teeth.
Summary:
Vitamins D and K are fat-soluble nutrients that play an essential role in your bodys calcium metabolism.
Conclusion: Can Vitamin D And Calcium Be Taken Together
Vitamin D and calcium can be taken together. Vitamin D has a positive effect on calcium. Vitamin supports calcium in three ways. It improves the absorption, helps with the incorporation of calcium into the bones and supports the hardening of the bones. Those who would like to supplement vitamin D and calcium can choose between capsules and tablets. Both forms are easy to use and enter the circulation quickly.
Further reading:
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Calcium And Vitamin D Combination Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives difficult breathing swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
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dry mouth, or a metallic taste in your mouth or
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muscle or bone pain.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What Is Vitamin D And What Does It Do
Vitamin D plays an important role in protecting your bones, both by helping your body absorb calcium and by supporting muscles needed to avoid falls. Children need vitamin D to build strong bones, and adults need it to keep their bones strong and healthy. If you dont get enough vitamin D, youre more likely to break bones as you age.
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What Happens If I Take Too Much Vitamin D
Taking too many vitamin D supplements over a long period of time can cause too much calcium to build up in the body . This can weaken the bones and damage the kidneys and the heart.
If you choose to take vitamin D supplements, 10 micrograms a day will be enough for most people.
Do not take more than 100 micrograms of vitamin D a day as it could be harmful. This applies to adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women and the elderly, and children aged 11 to 17 years.
Children aged 1 to 10 years should not have more than 50 micrograms a day. Infants under 12 months should not have more than 25 micrograms a day.
Some people have medical conditions that mean they may not be able to safely take as much. If in doubt, you should consult your doctor.
If your doctor has recommended you take a different amount of vitamin D, you should follow their advice.
You cannot overdose on vitamin D through exposure to sunlight. But always remember to cover up or protect your skin if you’re out in the sun for long periods to reduce the risk of skin damage and skin cancer.
Page last reviewed: 03 August 2020 Next review due: 03 August 2023
Do You Need Vitamin D To Absorb Calcium
Without vitamin D, calcium cannot function properly in your body. A common misconception about bones is that they remain the same throughout your adult life, but this isnt true.
Bones are constantly releasing minerals and then rebuilding themselves. Calcium is the key player when it comes to forming the sturdy structure of your bones without it, they would be soft and wouldnt be the strong structures you use to move your body every day. Its important to get enough calcium, but your best bet for bone health is to consider how much vitamin D youre getting as well.
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How To Take Calcium And Vitamin D Combination
Use Calcium And Vitamin D Combination exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Check the label of your calcium and vitamin D combination product to see if it should be taken with or without food.
Take the regular tablet with a full glass of water.
The chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it.
Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole.
Calcium and vitamin D may be only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes dietary changes. Learn about the foods that contain calcium and vitamin D.
Your supplement dose may need to be adjusted as you make changes to your diet. Follow your doctor’s instructions very closely.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What Is The Recommended Daily Amount Of Calcium And Vitamin D
Your body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium, but you do not have to take calcium and vitamin D at the same time. For the best absorption of calcium, make sure you get enough vitamin D.
Vitamin D recommendations vary from province to province. Talk with your doctor about how much vitamin D you need.
Health Canada recommendations for calcium and vitamin D by age*Adequate intake rather than recommended dietary allowance
Talk with your doctor about how much and what sources of supplements are right for your child. Although breastfed babies get the best possible nutrition, they do need vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D for babies is usually a liquid supplement that you add to a bottle of breast milk with a dropper or drip into your baby’s mouth.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding need the same amount of calcium and vitamin D as other women their age.
Health Canada and Osteoporosis Canada recommend that Canadian adults over the age of 50 take daily vitamin D supplements.footnote 1
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Possible Interactions With: Calcium
If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use calcium supplements without first talking to your doctor.
Alendronate — Calcium may interfere with the absorption of alendronate, a medication used to treat osteoporosis. Calcium-containing products should be taken at least 2 hours before or after alendronate.
Antacids that contain aluminum — When calcium citrate is taken with aluminum-containing antacids, the amount of aluminum absorbed into the blood may be increased significantly. This is a particular problem for people with kidney disease, for whom the aluminum levels may become toxic.
Blood pressure medications — Taking calcium with a beta-blocker may interfere with blood levels of both the calcium and the beta-blocker. Study results are conflicting, however. Similarly, it has been reported that calcium interferes with calcium channel blockers , but these study results are also controversial. If you take a beta-blocker or calcium-channel blocker, do not take calcium supplements without your doctorâs supervision.
Cholesterol-lowering medications — A class of medications known as bile acid sequestrants , used to treat high cholesterol, may interfere with normal calcium absorption and increase the loss of calcium in the urine. Supplementation, therefore, with calcium and vitamin D may be recommended by your health care provider.
Diuretics — Different types of diuretics interact with calcium in opposite ways.
Can You Take Vitamin D Without Calcium
Supplemental vitamin D without calciumin doses averaging as much as 800 IU per daydoesn’t reduce the risk of hip, vertebral, or nonvertebral fractures in postmenopausal women and older men (strength of recommendation : A, large, high-quality meta-analysis of randomized or quasi-randomized placebo-controlled …
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For These Popular Pills The Evidence Has Been Mixed Here’s Advice About Getting The Recommended Amounts Of Both Nutrients
In the body, calcium and vitamin D work together to build and maintain healthy bones. Many adults take these two nutrients in supplement form, hoping to stave off osteoporosis, the bone-weakening disease that leaves older people prone to fractures. But how do these supplements affect cardiovascular health?
The answer is a bit complicated. Here are the key points, with additional context and advice below:
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- Research health conditions
- Prepare for a doctor’s visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
Can You Take Too Much Vitamin D
While rare, its also possible to take too much vitamin D. The trick to getting the right amount of vitamin D is balance. If you take too much, the supplement wont help the way you want it to. Plus, it can cause some unpleasant side effects .
If a healthcare provider prescribed a vitamin D supplement for you, your best bet is to take the dosage prescribed. Its also important to eat vitamin D-rich foodsgetting nutrients like these from the food you eat is always the best way.
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Whats The Best Way To Get Enough Vitamin D And Calcium
If sunlight is in short supply, you can turn to vitamin D-rich foods to get your daily intake.
Vitamin D is found naturally in fewer foods than other micronutrients but is fortified in dairy products like milk. Recent studies also saw benefits in fortifying bread with vitamin D . Some foods high in vitamin D include :
How well your body can absorb vitamin D and calcium is an important piece of the puzzle, too.
Many factors affect bioavailability, or how easily your body can absorb nutrients from food or supplements.
Recent surgery, digestive conditions, and issues with your kidneys or liver can make it more challenging to get enough vitamin D or calcium . If you cant get enough calcium and vitamin D from diet alone, a healthcare provider may recommend you take a supplement.
Should You Take Vitamin D Everyday
Current guidelines say adults shouldn’t take more than the equivalent of 100 micrograms a day. But vitamin D is a ‘fat-soluble’ vitamin, so your body can store it for months and you don’t need it every day. That means you could equally safely take a supplement of 20 micrograms a day or 500 micrograms once a month.
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Should You Take Vitamin D With Vitamin K2
Technically you can get vitamin D from the sun, but its best to get it from your diet for a couple of reasons. First off, the type of light the sun gives off can damage your skin, and increase your risk for skin cancer . Plus, many people live in parts of the country where sunlight is in short supply during the winter months, making it an unreliable source of vitamin D.
How Should I Take Calcium And Vitamin D Combination
Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Check the label of your calcium and vitamin D combination product to see if it should be taken with or without food.
Take the regular tablet with a full glass of water.
The chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it.
Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole.
Calcium and vitamin D may be only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes dietary changes. Learn about the foods that contain calcium and vitamin D.
Your supplement dose may need to be adjusted as you make changes to your diet. Follow your doctor’s instructions very closely.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
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How Can You Get More Calcium And Vitamin D
Calcium is in foods such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. Vegetables like broccoli, kale, and Chinese cabbage have calcium. You can get calcium if you eat the soft edible bones in canned sardines and canned salmon. Foods with added calcium include some juices, soy drinks, and tofu. The food label will show how much calcium was added.
Calcium supplements are available as citrate or carbonate. Calcium carbonate is best absorbed when it is taken with food. Calcium citrate can be absorbed well with or without food. Spreading calcium out over the course of the day can reduce stomach upset and helps your body absorb the calcium better. Try not to take more than 500 milligrams of calcium supplement at a time.
Vitamin D is in foods such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel. These are some of the best foods to eat when you are trying to get more vitamin D. Other foods that have vitamin D, but in small amounts, include cheese, egg yolks, and beef liver. You can also get vitamin D from fortified foods such as milk, orange juices, yogurts, margarines, and soy beverages.
The most common kind of vitamin D found in supplements in Canada is cholecalciferol .
Increase Calcium And Vitamin D In Your Diet
Calcium is a mineral that is an important part of a healthy diet. Vitamin D is a nutrient that helps the body absorb calcium.
Calcium and vitamin D work together to:
- Build strong bones and teeth
- Help with muscle movement
People who may need more combined calcium and vitamin D include:
- Growing children
- Those who do not or cannot eat dairy products
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Calcium And Vitamin D Combination
Generic name: calcium and vitamin D combination Brand names:Calcitrate with D, Caltrate 600+D Soft Chews, Citracal + D, Os-Cal Extra D3, Oystercal-D, … show all 49 brandsUpCal D, Os-Cal 250 with D, Oysco D, Dical-D, Calcet, Oyster Shell Calcium with Vitamin D, O-Cal-D, Oyster-D, Oyst-Cal-D, Caltro with Vitamin D, Oysco 500 with D, Oysco D with Calcium, Os-Cal with D, Calcarb with D, Posture-D H/P, Dical Captabs, Dicalphos plus D, Os-Cal 500 with D, Caltrate 600 with D Plus Soy, Caltrate Colon Health, Calvite P/D, Sedecal D, Chewable Calcium with Vitamin D, Osteocit D Plus, Os-Cal 500 + D, Citracal Petites, Citracal Creamy Bites, Citracal 250 mg + D, Calcio Del Mar, Citrus Calcium with Vitamin D, Calcium 600+D, Risacal-D, Liquid Calcium with Vitamin D, Citracal Maximum + D, Citracal Calcium + D Slow Release 1200, Citracal Calcium Gummies, Caltrate Gummy Bites, Super Calcium 600 + D3 400, Os-Cal Calcium+D3, Caltrate 600 + D, Citracal Regular, Calcet Petites, Calcium 500+D, D3 with CalciumDosage forms: oral capsule oral powder for reconstitution oral tablet 200 mg-6.25 mcg 117 mg-3.325 mcg 200 mg-6.25 mcg 250 mg-3.125 mcg 250 mg-5 mcg 315 mg-5 mcg 315 mg-6.25 mcg 500 mg-10 mcg 500 mg-15 mcg 500 mg-3.125 mcg 500 mg-5 mcg 600 mg-10 mcg 600 mg-20 mcg 600 mg-3.125 mcg 600 mg-5 mcg) oral tablet, chewable oral tablet, extended release
Before Taking This Medicine
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if calcium and vitamin D combination is safe to use if you have:
-
kidney disease
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high levels of calcium in your blood
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circulation problems or
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a parathyroid gland disorder.
Ask a doctor before using this product if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy or while you are nursing.
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Are There Any Risks From Taking Calcium And Vitamin D
It is possible to get too much calcium and vitamin D. Older women who take calcium supplements need to be careful that they do not take too much.
The amount of calcium and vitamin D you get every day from all sourcesincluding food, sunshine, and supplementsshould not be more than the amount shown by age in the table below for “upper level intake.” Upper level intake does not mean that most people need this amount or should try to get it. It means this is the maximum amount of calcium or vitamin D that is safe to take.
Health Canada recommendations for upper level intake of calcium and vitamin D by age|
2,000 |
4,000 |
If you get too much calcium, you may get kidney stones, and if you get too much vitamin D, your kidneys and tissues may be damaged.footnote 1 Too much calcium can cause constipation. Too much vitamin D can cause hypercalcemia which could lead to nausea and vomiting, constipation, and weakness.
Getting too much vitamin D increases the amount of calcium in your blood. If this happens, you can become confused and have an irregular heart rhythm.
Calcium and vitamin D may interact with other medicines. A drug interaction happens when a medicine you take changes how another medicine works. One medicine may make another one less effective, or the combination of the medicines may cause a side effect you don’t expect. Some drug interactions are dangerous.
