Calcium is a necessary mineral to the human body. It supports the function and structure of the body's teeth and bones. Without calcium, bones have difficulty growing and can break more easily -- especially as you age. The National Institutes of Health has acknowledged that vitamin D, when taken with calcium, also has an important role in keeping your teeth and bones strong.
Background
Vitamin D is found naturally in fatty fish and has been added to many fortified dairy products and cereals. In addition to helping with bone stability, vitamin D may help heart disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and many other conditions. Calcium is the body's most plentiful mineral and helps with functions other than bone growth. It enhances muscle function, nerve transmission, intracellular signaling, hormonal secretion and vascular contraction. It can be found naturally and as an additive in dairy products, and some fish and vegetables.
Mechanism
You will not find one element in the body which makes vitamin D activate for calcium usage. Vitamin D and calcium work together to produce a combination that helps keep bones strong. Specifically, vitamin D regulates the mineral levels of the calcium so it may work to protect bone health. This has been supported by the Food and Drug Administration, which allows manufacturers to make the claim, "Adequate calcium and vitamin D as part of a healthful diet, along with physical activity, may reduce the risk of osteoporosis in later life."
Considerations
Sun exposure is one way to get vitamin D in your body, but be cautious of the negative effects on your skin of too much sunlight exposure. Vitamin D is already in many calcium supplements, but it doesn't mix with everything. Do not take vitamin D with aluminum, a mineral found in many antacids. It also should not be taken with diuretics and certain prescription medications. Consult with your doctor or pharmacist to see if you are currently taking anything that might interact with vitamin D.
Warning
If you would like to take vitamin D as a way to activate calcium, discuss it with your healthcare professional first. While it is considered relatively safe, taking too much vitamin D can cause side effects such as headache, fatigue and nausea. MedlinePlus cautions that taking more than 4,000 IU a day of vitamin D without the supervision of a physician can be dangerous.
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