Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. Calcium and phosphate are two minerals that are essential for normal bone formation. If you do not get enough calcium, or if your body does not absorb enough calcium from your diet, bone production and bone tissues may suffer.
Vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteoporosis in adults or rickets in children.
The body makes vitamin D when the skin is directly exposed to the sun. That is why it is often called the “sunshine” vitamin. Most people meet at least some of their vitamin D needs this way. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body’s fatty tissue.
Very few foods naturally contain vitamin D. As a result, many foods are fortified with vitamin D. Fortified means that vitamins have been added to the food.
Most milk in the United States is fortified with 400 IU vitamin D per quart. It should be noted that foods made from milk, such as cheese and ice cream, are usually not fortified.
Food sources for vitamin D include fatty fish like tuna, salmon and mackerel. Beef liver, cheese, egg yolks and mushrooms provide some vitamin D.
Vitamin D is added to many breakfast cereals and to some brands of soy beverages, orange juice, yogurt and margarine.
Nevertheless, it can be difficult to get enough vitamin D from food sources alone. As a result, some people may need to take a vitamin D supplement. Vitamin D found in supplements and fortified foods comes in two different forms: D2 (Ergocalciferol) and D3 (Cholecalciferol).
Texas Transdermals Multivitamin patch contains the proper D3 supplement dose.