Why you should take calcium and vitamin D tablets together

Why is taking calcium and vitamin D tablets together so important?

If we have been advised to take calcium supplements, we are often recommended to take them with vitamin D. The main reason for this is that vitamin D regulates the absorption of calcium which has huge benefits in the body.

In fact, Vitamin D is a very powerful vitamin. Besides helping with calcium, it can also:

• Regulate the absorption of phosphorus
• Facilitate normal immune system function
• Help the normal growth and development of bones and teeth
• Help resist against certain diseases, including multiple sclerosis and heart disease.
• Reduce risk of rickets and osteoporosis
• Can help fight depression
• Help the body lose weight

Vitamin D is also vital for helping the body absorb calcium. Without the right levels of calcium, a deficiency can lead to osteoporosis, osteopenia and hypocalcemia.

However, the so-called “sunshine vitamin” can be hard to get enough of, particularly if you use a lot of sunscreen, if there are significantly high levels of pollution where you live, if you spend a large amounts of time indoors or if you have darker skin.

According to this blog post, http://www.thealternativedaily.com/outdoor-vitamin-d/, the body can receive the right amount of vitamin D can be gained from just 30 minutes sunlight a week.  But if you live in a country where the winter is cold and long, there are supplements and food like fish, liver and eggs that are rich in vitamin D.

Bone health in particular can improve from taking calcium and vitamin D together. Rickets was very common pre-20^th century, and in 1822, it was discovered that the sun effects the way bones grow and develop.

More research led to vitamin D being discovered to help absorb calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D deficiency is now recognised to reduce bone mineral density, which can lead to fractures, particularly in older patients. A lack of vitamin D is also responsible for increasing the parathyroid hormone levels in the body – which has also been proven to increase bone loss.

So with all these benefits – it’s a no-brainer. If you haven’t got the luxury of yearlong sunshine where you live, the same benefits can be received from a good supplement and a varied diet rich in cheese, eggs and fish.