Natural Medical SolutionsVitamin D is a nutrient your body needs for good health. It helps you absorb calcium to keep your bones strong. It also helps your muscles move and your nerves send messages.
What is vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a nutrient that helps your body work well. It helps your immune system fight off germs like bacteria and viruses. You can get it from some foods, the sun, and supplements.
What are the benefits of vitamin D?
Vitamin D helps keep your bones strong and prevents a bone disease called osteoporosis. It also helps your muscles stay strong so you can keep your balance. While some people think it helps with depression or heart disease, studies show it does not prevent these problems.
How much vitamin D do I need?
The amount you need depends on your age. Most adults need 15 micrograms (600 IU) each day. Adults over 70 years old need 20 micrograms (800 IU) daily.
Your doctor can use a blood test to see if your levels are healthy. Levels that are too low can cause weak bones and muscle pain.
What are the side effects of vitamin D?
Getting too much vitamin D can be harmful. Very high levels can cause nausea, vomiting, and muscle weakness. It can also lead to confusion, pain, and kidney stones.
Extremely high levels can cause kidney failure or an irregular heartbeat. These problems almost always happen from taking too many supplements.
Who should be careful with vitamin D?
Some people may need more vitamin D than others. This includes people with dark skin or those who rarely go outside. People with gut problems like Crohn's disease may also have trouble absorbing it.
Always talk to your doctor before you start a new supplement. They can tell you if it is right for your health needs.
Does Vitamin D interact with any medications?
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking vitamin d if you take any prescription medicine. The list below is not complete.
This weight-loss drug can lower the amount of vitamin D your body absorbs.
High doses of vitamin D might make these cholesterol medicines work less well.
These drugs can lower the amount of vitamin D in your blood.
These water pills can raise your blood calcium levels too high if you also take vitamin D.
Common questions about vitamin d
Can I get enough vitamin D from the sun?
What foods have vitamin D?
Is vitamin D2 the same as D3?
Does vitamin D help with weight loss?
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Where this information comes from
Written from NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, a public-domain resource from the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Information retrieved 2026-08-21.
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