Vitamin D has long been known to be very important for bone health and other body processes. This “sunshine vitamin” is essential for your health because it helps your body absorb calcium and keeps your immune system healthy. You might not know how to learn vitamin D, but it can also help you feel more energetic.
If you’ve ever felt tired all the time, had weak muscles, or had a bad mood, you might not be getting enough vitamin D. That’s right. Studies show that getting enough of this nutrient can really change how energized you feel during the day.
We will discuss how vitamin D affects energy, how much you need, and why keeping your levels sound is essential, especially if you don’t get enough sun.
What Is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D, or calciferol, is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for staying healthy. You can get it from sun exposure, eating certain foods, and taking vitamins. Vitamin D, on the other hand, is not active in your body when you eat it.
The body makes vitamin D when UV rays from the sun hit the skin. This vitamin changes in the liver to calcidiol and then triggers the kidneys to calcitriol. This busy form helps the body do many things, like
- Getting your body to absorb calcium for strong bones
- Helping the defense system work
- Getting rid of inflammation
- Helping muscles work and glucose metabolism
What does science say about vitamin D and energy?
Vitamin D and energy levels have been studied a lot, and the results show that the nutrient may help people feel less tired and have more energy. As an example:
- A study published in the journal Medicine found that people lacking vitamin D had much more energy after taking pills.
- The U.K. study found that vitamin D improves muscle function, suggesting low energy may be connected to mitochondrial efficiency. Mitochondria are the “powerhouses” of cells.
- Vitamin D has also been linked to better athletic success. A study of soccer players found that those who had the right amount of the vitamin performed better physically, showing more stamina and better muscle function.
Not having enough Vitamin D can make you feel tired, weaken your muscles & even lead to long-term illnesses like fibromyalgia. Taking the right supplements to compensate for this shortage can help increase energy, ease symptoms, and improve general health.
How Much Vitamin D Do You Need?
The amount of vitamin D you need varies on your age, how much sun you get, and what you eat. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says the following is the daily suggested amount of vitamin D:
- The daily amount for people up to 70 years old is 600 IU.
- 800 IU every day for people over 70 years old.
However, some doctors may suggest more significant amounts, especially if you are deficient or live in an area with little sunlight. You can get some of your daily vitamin D from foods like eggs, oily fish (like salmon and mackerel), and fortified goods. But it can be difficult to get enough vitamin D just from food.
What Vitamin D Supplements Do?
For many people, taking pills is an easy way to ensure they get enough vitamin D, especially in winter or in areas with weak sunshine.
However, researchers have found that most people don’t get enough of this vitamin just from food. A study found that most women and men do not get enough vitamin D from what they eat and drink.
It is essential to get a blood test to see how much vitamin D you need before taking a pill. A doctor or nurse can help you determine whether you’re lacking and give you the right dose based on your needs.
Why it’s important to test
If you don’t have much energy, you should see a doctor immediately to rule out any underlying health problems. Dr. Elizabeth Sharp, a doctor in New York, says that before taking vitamins, patients should get tests to look for deficiencies and other issues. Not getting enough vitamin D or vitamin B12 and having anemia or a liver problem can make you feel tired.
Potential Risks of Vitamin D Overuse
Vitamin D pills can help people who aren’t getting enough of it, but too much of it may have harmful effects. Toxicology is a rare condition that can happen when you take too much vitamin D, especially in the form of a pill. It can cause problems like high calcium levels, sickness, and kidney problems.
One well-known case from the U.K. involved an 89-year-old man who died from a vitamin D overdose, which was one of several health problems that led to his death.
Unless told otherwise by a medical worker, the NIH recommends staying below the upper limit of 4,000 IU per day. Remember that vitamin D can affect how well some medicines work, like steroids and statins, so it’s important to talk to your doctor about how much you’re taking.
Why it’s hard to get enough vitamin D from food alone
Vitamin D can be found in foods like enriched milk, eggs, and fatty fish, but most people still struggle to get all the vitamin D they need from food alone. Harvard experts stress that vitamins are often required to make up the difference, especially in places where people don’t get much sun.
Also, experts say to be careful when buying vitamins. Always look for good-quality ingredients and stay away from items that seem too cheap to be true. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates supplements, but the FDA does not check whether they are safe or valuable before being sold.
To ensure quality, you could look at the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Vitamins or Consumer Lab. These groups check vitamins for accuracy and contaminants.
The Bottom Line
Not only does vitamin D keep bones healthy, but it also keeps energy levels high and general health in good shape. Some people may not have enough vitamin D, which could cause their tiredness or muscle weakness.
Before you start taking supplements, make sure you get checked for any flaws. Also, talk to your doctor about the correct dose for you. You can ensure you get enough vitamin D for your body and energy by getting enough sun, eating right, and taking supplements.
Remember that balance is essential, even though vitamin D can help fight tiredness. Don’t take too many supplements; focus on living a healthy, busy life.