Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins for our body. It helps in the absorption of calcium, promotes bone growth, and strengthens the immune system.

Sunlight is the best source of Vitamin D, but during the winter months, it is difficult to get enough of it. Vitamin D is also present in food, but it is tough to get sufficient amounts solely from food sources.

So, what is the best way to get enough Vitamin D, and when should you take it? In this guide, we will discuss the best months to take Vitamin D to ensure you get enough of this crucial vitamin.

Why Is Vitamin D Important?

Vitamin D is important for various reasons, including:.

Helping the body absorb calcium
Promoting bone growth
Reducing inflammation
Improving muscle strength
Boosting the immune system

Low levels of Vitamin D in the body can lead to various health problems, including:.

Rickets in children
Osteoporosis in adults
Increased risk of cancer
Increased risk of autoimmune diseases
Increased risk of infections

How Much Vitamin D Do You Need?

The amount of Vitamin D required by the body depends on various factors, including age, sex, health status, and geographic location.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of Vitamin D for most people is:.

600 IU for people aged 1 to 70 years
800 IU for people aged over 70 years

However, some experts suggest that higher doses may be required, especially for people who are deficient in Vitamin D.

Best Food Sources of Vitamin D

Getting enough Vitamin D from food alone can be challenging, as there are only a few food sources that contain it. Some of the best food sources of Vitamin D include:.

Fatty fish, such as salmon and tuna
Egg yolks
Cheese
Mushrooms
Fortified foods, like milk and cereal

The Best Months to Take Vitamin D

The skin produces Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. During the summer months, when the sun is high in the sky, our bodies can produce about 10,000 IU of Vitamin D after spending ten to fifteen minutes in the sunlight.

However, during the winter months, the sun’s angle is such that our bodies cannot produce enough Vitamin D. Therefore, it is important to get enough Vitamin D from other sources, like food and supplements.

If you are taking a Vitamin D supplement, the best months to take it are from October to March. During this period, the sun’s angle is such that it does not produce enough UVB rays to enable Vitamin D production in the skin.

Therefore, it is recommended that people living in countries with low levels of sunlight should take a Vitamin D supplement during the winter months.

It is also important to note that the amount of Vitamin D that people require varies depending on their age, sex, and health status.

People who are deficient in Vitamin D may require higher doses of Vitamin D supplements than those who are not deficient.

Choosing the Best Vitamin D Supplement

When choosing a Vitamin D supplement, there are various forms of Vitamin D available, including Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is more effective in raising blood levels of Vitamin D than Vitamin D2.

Therefore, it is recommended that people take Vitamin D3 supplements.

The most common way to take Vitamin D supplements is through capsules, tablets, or drops. Vitamin D supplements are available over-the-counter at most drugstores, health food stores, and online retailers.

The dose of Vitamin D supplements that people need varies depending on their age, sex, and health status. It is recommended that adults take 600 IU of Vitamin D per day, but for people who are deficient in Vitamin D, higher doses may be required.

However, it is important to consult a healthcare provider before taking high doses of Vitamin D supplements.

Conclusion

Vitamin D is an essential vitamin for our body, and its deficiency can lead to various health problems.

The best way to get Vitamin D is through sunlight, but during the winter months, it is challenging to get enough sunlight to produce sufficient Vitamin D in the skin. Therefore, it is recommended that people take Vitamin D supplements during the winter months, especially in countries with low levels of sunlight.

Choosing the right Vitamin D supplement and dosage is important, and it is recommended that people consult a healthcare provider before taking high doses of Vitamin D supplements.