Better together: Vitamin D3 and calcium
Vitamin D3 and calcium are often mentioned together when it comes to bone health, but have you ever wondered why? The answer lies in a unique synergy that occurs between these nutrients to support stronger bones, better calcium absorption and overall wellbeing. Let’s explore the relationship between D3 and calcium and how taking both can support stronger, healthier bones.
The role of vitamin D3 in calcium absorption
Calcium is considered a foundational nutrient because our bones are largely made of calcium salts like calcium phosphate. Our bodies don’t make calcium on their own, instead we rely on absorbing this nutrient through our daily diet. It can be found in dairy products like milk, yogurt or cheese as well as leafy greens, tofu, and fish.
Enter vitamin D3, the nutrient that helps with calcium absorption, as well as muscle function and immune response. Vitamin D3’s role is to increase the absorption of calcium through the intestinal tract by stimulating calcium-binding proteins, ensuring that the nutrient is actually entering your bloodstream.
To understand vitamin D3’s role in calcium absorption, we must begin with the endocrine system, the glands responsible for releasing hormones and regulating important functions in the body. Vitamin D3 acts as a key hormone ensuring proper calcium levels throughout the body. In the endocrine system, the parathyroid gland plays an essential part in monitoring blood calcium levels and vitamin D3 is known to work with this gland in order to ensure calcium levels remain optimal. They work together in opposing ways because if the parathyroid gland detects low vitamin D3 in the gut, it releases parathyroid hormone, which also increases calcium absorption in the body.
More than just bone benefits
Vitamin D3 and calcium do more than just support strong, healthy bones, they’re essential nutrients with wide-reaching benefits to multiple processes in the body. Vitamin D assists with immune health, mood and brain function, as well as heart and hormone health, while calcium also helps with muscle function, heart health and nerve transmission
The effects of low vitamin D3 or calcium levels
Without enough vitamin D3, the body can’t maintain proper calcium levels in our blood. This can lead to weakened bones over time, an increased risk of fractures, osteoporosis in older adults, and in extremely rare cases, conditions like rickets in young children. A vitamin D3 deficiency can also affect immune health, mood as well as muscle function. Additionally, when the body is low in calcium, it can trigger the use of more vitamin D3.
How to get enough vitamin D3 and calcium
Food sources and sun exposure
You can boost your calcium intake by adding foods rich in this nutrient to your daily diet like dairy, leafy green vegetables or fish. Vitamin D3 is a little harder to get on its own through diet, but daily exposure to sunlight can really help keep your levels up.
Supplementation: When and why?
Even with a healthy diet and sun exposure, factors like age, weather, medical conditions or dietary restrictions can lead to low calcium and vitamin D3 levels. It’s especially common for Canadians to experience low vitamin D3 thanks to our dark, cold winters. In these cases, supplements are a great way to support healthy bones, teeth, and overall wellness.
Choosing the supplement for you: Bioavailability and absorption
Your body’s ability to use a supplement depends on its bioavailability, or how well the nutrients enter your bloodstream and get used. Vitamin D3 is a fat-soluble nutrient that absorbs better when paired with fatty foods or with oil bases like medium chain triglycerides (MCT) or coconut oil. When it comes to absorption, chelated forms of calcium like malate bis-glycinate, a combination of malate and bis-glycinate forms, are ideal. The mineral is bound to amino acids which makes it easier for the body to absorb with fewer digestive upset. For maximum benefits, look for complete supplements with co-factors like magnesium and vitamin K2.
Supplemental choices for bone health from CanPrev
CanPrev D3
- 1000IU and2500IU dosages
- Available in drops and softgels
- MCT or coconut oil base for enhanced absorption
CanPrev Calcium
- Calcium Malate Bis-Glycinate 200 featuring 200mg of chelated calcium for easy absorption per vegetable capsule
- Additional complete bone health formulas include Healthy Bones
Vegan and Inno-Cal-Mag Advanced with minerals like magnesium, zinc, and silicon for added support
Supporting good bone health begins with consistency in every day habits, like keeping a balanced diet, getting regular sunlight and daily exercise. When habits aren’t enough, turn to supplements to help fill the gaps, and support healthy bones long term. To learn more about the unique relationship between vitamin D3 and calcium along with evidence-based supplement options visit vitaminD3.ca.
Sources:
Calcium and Vitamin D: Important for Bone Health
Vitamin D and Intestinal Calcium Absorption
Chapter 5The parathyroid glands and vitamin D
The Role of Vitamin D in the Endocrinology Controlling Calcium Homeostasis
Vitamin D and Calcium in Osteoporosis, and the Role of Bone Turnover Markers: A Narrative Review of Recent Data from RCTs
Related Articles
Better together: Vitamin D3 and calcium
Vitamin D3 and calcium are often mentioned together when it comes to bone health, but have you ever wondered why? The answer lies in a unique synergy that occurs between these nutrients to support stronger bones, better calcium absorption and overall wellbeing. Let’s explore the relationship between D3 and calcium and how taking both can support stronger, healthier bones.
The role of vitamin D3 in calcium absorption
Calcium is considered a foundational nutrient because our bones are largely made of calcium salts like calcium phosphate. Our bodies don’t make calcium on their own, instead we rely on absorbing this nutrient through our daily diet. It can be found in dairy products like milk, yogurt or cheese as well as leafy greens, tofu, and fish.
Enter vitamin D3, the nutrient that helps with calcium absorption, as well as muscle function and immune response. Vitamin D3’s role is to increase the absorption of calcium through the intestinal tract by stimulating calcium-binding proteins, ensuring that the nutrient is actually entering your bloodstream.
To understand vitamin D3’s role in calcium absorption, we must begin with the endocrine system, the glands responsible for releasing hormones and regulating important functions in the body. Vitamin D3 acts as a key hormone ensuring proper calcium levels throughout the body. In the endocrine system, the parathyroid gland plays an essential part in monitoring blood calcium levels and vitamin D3 is known to work with this gland in order to ensure calcium levels remain optimal. They work together in opposing ways because if the parathyroid gland detects low vitamin D3 in the gut, it releases parathyroid hormone, which also increases calcium absorption in the body.
More than just bone benefits
Vitamin D3 and calcium do more than just support strong, healthy bones, they’re essential nutrients with wide-reaching benefits to multiple processes in the body. Vitamin D assists with immune health, mood and brain function, as well as heart and hormone health, while calcium also helps with muscle function, heart health and nerve transmission
The effects of low vitamin D3 or calcium levels
Without enough vitamin D3, the body can’t maintain proper calcium levels in our blood. This can lead to weakened bones over time, an increased risk of fractures, osteoporosis in older adults, and in extremely rare cases, conditions like rickets in young children. A vitamin D3 deficiency can also affect immune health, mood as well as muscle function. Additionally, when the body is low in calcium, it can trigger the use of more vitamin D3.
How to get enough vitamin D3 and calcium
Food sources and sun exposure
You can boost your calcium intake by adding foods rich in this nutrient to your daily diet like dairy, leafy green vegetables or fish. Vitamin D3 is a little harder to get on its own through diet, but daily exposure to sunlight can really help keep your levels up.
Supplementation: When and why?
Even with a healthy diet and sun exposure, factors like age, weather, medical conditions or dietary restrictions can lead to low calcium and vitamin D3 levels. It’s especially common for Canadians to experience low vitamin D3 thanks to our dark, cold winters. In these cases, supplements are a great way to support healthy bones, teeth, and overall wellness.
Choosing the supplement for you: Bioavailability and absorption
Your body’s ability to use a supplement depends on its bioavailability, or how well the nutrients enter your bloodstream and get used. Vitamin D3 is a fat-soluble nutrient that absorbs better when paired with fatty foods or with oil bases like medium chain triglycerides (MCT) or coconut oil. When it comes to absorption, chelated forms of calcium like malate bis-glycinate, a combination of malate and bis-glycinate forms, are ideal. The mineral is bound to amino acids which makes it easier for the body to absorb with fewer digestive upset. For maximum benefits, look for complete supplements with co-factors like magnesium and vitamin K2.
Supplemental choices for bone health from CanPrev
CanPrev D3
- 1000IU and2500IU dosages
- Available in drops and softgels
- MCT or coconut oil base for enhanced absorption
CanPrev Calcium
- Calcium Malate Bis-Glycinate 200 featuring 200mg of chelated calcium for easy absorption per vegetable capsule
- Additional complete bone health formulas include Healthy Bones
Vegan and Inno-Cal-Mag Advanced with minerals like magnesium, zinc, and silicon for added support
Supporting good bone health begins with consistency in every day habits, like keeping a balanced diet, getting regular sunlight and daily exercise. When habits aren’t enough, turn to supplements to help fill the gaps, and support healthy bones long term. To learn more about the unique relationship between vitamin D3 and calcium along with evidence-based supplement options visit vitaminD3.ca.
Sources:
https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/calcium-and-vitamin-d-important-bone-health
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3405161/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK24/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5529228/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9944083/