THORNE Vitamin D-5000 - Vitamin D3 Supplement for Healthy Bones, Teeth, Muscles, Cardiovascular, and Immune Function

Vitamin D is an essential bone-building vitamin. Your body can absorb calcium — the primary component of bone — only when sufficient vitamin D is present. Vitamin D also supports muscles, nerves and the immune system. Low levels of vitamin D are linked with a range of health risks and adverse consequences.

In the United States, most dietary vitamin D is obtained from fortified foods, such as breakfast cereals, milk and some yogurts. Some brands of orange juice, margarine and soy beverages also are fortified with vitamin D. Very few foods naturally contain vitamin D, although there is a small amount of vitamin D in fatty fish, beef liver, cod liver oil, cheese, and egg yolks.

Vitamin D deficiency — defined as a vitamin D level below 20 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) — is relatively common in the United States. One large survey found that 42 percent of the population was deficient. Many experts believe that for optimal health, blood levels of vitamin D should be at least 30 ng/mL. You could be at a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency if you engage in indoor athletics, have limited sun exposure, have a hard time absorbing fats, rarely go out in sunlight, have a darker skin tone, regularly wear sunscreen, are an older adult, or are obese.

If you're at risk of vitamin D deficiency, a blood test may be warranted. If your vitamin D level is particularly low, you may need to take a higher amount of a dietary supplement. Having a sufficient level of vitamin D can help promote healthy bones and teeth, build muscle mass and maintain muscle strength, support normal immune function, prevent falls in older adults, support normal brain function, and maintain muscle strength.

The recommended amount of a vitamin D dietary supplement depends on your blood level of the vitamin. Unless you are starting out with an extremely high blood level of vitamin D, which most people don't have, then you can safely take 1,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D daily. If your blood level of vitamin D is very low, then your health care professional might suggest taking a significantly higher amount — such as 5,000 IU daily — for a short period of time.

Vitamin D supplements have few risks and are generally well-tolerated when used orally and appropriately. However, when taken in an excessive amount, a vitamin D supplement can cause signs and symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue and poor appetite. Some studies suggest that supplementing with vitamin D could impact the way your body processes certain prescription medications, so it is important to consult your healthcare professional.

Thorne's Vitamin D3 supplement supports healthy teeth, bones, and muscles, as well as cardiovascular health and immune function. Vitamin D3 is more potent and better absorbed than vitamin D2, and the supplement is NSF Certified for Sport, free from common allergens, and trusted by champions and 100+ pro teams, including 11 U.S. Olympic Teams.

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