Vitamin is a fat-soluble, non-essential vitamin that is produced by your body during sunlight exposure to your skin. According to MedlinePlus, approximately 80 to 90 percent of your vitamin D is synthesized by your skin, while the 10 to 20 percent comes from dietary sources including eggs and vitamin D fortified dairy products. Vitamin D is essential for many bodily functions including the health of your bones and immune system. While it is an extremely important vitamin, it may also interfere with some prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Vitamin D Function
Calcium is an important mineral for bone structure, muscle contraction, nerve communication, hormone secretion and blood vessel dilation. The body cannot synthesize calcium; you can only obtain it from your dietary intake. Vitamin D allows your body to absorb calcium from the foods you eat, making it a vital component for all calcium-dependent functions. Vitamin D is also an important modulator of immune system functions, blood pressure regulation and insulin secretion.
Vitamin D Deficiencies
Under normal conditions, your body synthesizes 80 to 90 percent of your total vitamin D, so deficiencies are usually rare. While uncommon, there are some serious health conditions associated with vitamin D deficiencies. During development, children need plenty of vitamin D for calcium absorption to accommodate their rapidly growing skeletal system. Vitamin D deficiency causes a disease called rickets, which is the interruption of bone mineralization causing major bone deformations and incomplete structures. Vitamin D deficiency may also result in muscle weakness and pain, and overactive parathyroid glands.
Recommended Intake
According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, your recommended vitamin D intake from nutritional sources varies according to age. Children under 1 year of age should get approximately 400 IU per day, while individuals ages 1 through 70 should take in 600 IU daily. Elderly individuals, 71 and older should get about 800 IU. While food should be your primary source of vitamin D, you may use dietary supplements under the guidance of your primary care provider.
Vitamin D Drug Interactions
Even though vitamins are essential for healthy biological functions, they may cause undesirable and potentially dangerous interactions with other medications. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, diuretics like thiazide may increase vitamin D activity resulting in dangerous blood calcium levels. Hormone replacement therapy for menopause may increase blood serum vitamin D levels. Calcium channel blockers, which are used to control blood pressure and dangerous heartbeats may decrease bodily synthesis of vitamin D. Additionally, popular weight loss products including orlistat, or Alli, block the absorption of fats, resulting in a decrease in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin D.
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