We all know how important it is to ensure we’re getting the vitamins and nutrients necessary to keep our bodies healthy. Vitamin D3, with all of its benefits, is a vitamin we need to incorporate into our diets.
But for vegans, getting the right amount of vegan D3 from vegan-friendly sources can be tricky; that’s why we’re here to tell you everything you need to know.
Vitamin D3 is a compound our bodies need to maintain overall health. Vegan D3 supplements have been created for those who do not consume animal products and are looking to incorporate more D3 into their diet.
In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits vitamin D3 has to offer and explain why it’s so important we make sure our bodies are getting enough. To learn more about vegan vitamin D3 and how to acquire it from both natural and alternative sources, keep reading.
What is Vitamin D3?
This vitamin is extremely necessary for us to consume to keep our bodies working. This fat-soluble vitamin helps us absorb calcium and phosphorus, two important minerals which play a large role in the health and wellness of our body’s systems. D3 has been proven to provide us with all sorts of benefits, including:
- Healthy heart function
- Functioning immune system
- Strong bones
- Metabolism boost
- Reduced risk of the flu
- Reduced risk of diabetes
- Healthier pregnancies/infants
Without acquiring the right amount of vitamin D3, our bodies may fail to keep these systems functioning properly and become susceptible to all sorts of health problems as a result. This is why everyone must be knowledgeable about how to incorporate this vitamin into their lifestyles, and for vegans, it’s important to make sure these sources harm no animals in the process.
Vegan D3 Sources
D3’s nickname “the sunshine vitamin” is attributed to the fact it can be absorbed through the skin via sunlight.
This is one aspect of vitamin D3 that makes it unique: the body is capable of creating D3 itself, which some argue technically classifies it as a hormone rather than a vitamin.
Regardless, spending some extra time catching rays in the sun is not the most reliable method we have to ensure we’re getting enough D3. For anyone who doesn’t spend much time outdoors or who lives in an area where the sun is scarce during certain times of the year, it’s very possible to fall prey to a vitamin D3 deficiency.
Luckily, there are alternative sources from which we can derive D3, one of them being our diet.
That’s right - the food we eat can play a role in upping our body’s levels of D3. Consuming fatty fish, egg yolks, mushrooms, cheeses, and fortified foods is one way we can help to incorporate more vitamin D3 into our diets.
However, for vegans on a plant-based diet, not all of these foods are viable sources of vitamin D. This is why many turn to an alternative source and consume vegan D3 supplements, which are generally taken daily via capsule with a glass of water.
Vitamin D3 vegan supplements can be the most effective way for anyone to ensure their bodies are getting an adequate amount of vitamin D to support their vital systems.
FuelOrganics offers a high-quality vegan vitamin D3 supplement for anyone looking to invest in their health and increase their vitamin D intake while adhering to a vegan diet.
Risks of a Vitamin D3 Deficiency
As we’ve mentioned, many health problems can arise from a lack of vitamin D3 in our bodies. If one fails to consume enough D3 via sunshine, food, or supplementary help, a few of the potential health risks can include the following:
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Hypertension
- Bone or joint pain
- Hair loss
- Inflammation
- Depression
This long list only further exemplifies the importance of obtaining a healthy amount of D3. If the health benefits of this vitamin aren’t convincing enough to encourage adding more vitamin D3 into one’s life, then the potential symptoms and side effects from not consuming enough ought to do the trick.
D2 Versus D3: What’s the Difference?
Vitamin D exists in two forms: D2 and D3. So which one’s better?
Vitamin D3 is the form most beneficial to our health and works more effectively when taken as a vitamin supplement in comparison to D2. Because D2 is derived solely from plants, it proves less effective at maintaining the amount of vitamin D stored in the body.
While non-vegan D3 is traditionally extracted from sheep wool, a practice that is both non-vegan and harmful for the environment, vegan D3 vitamin supplements are 100% vegan and much kinder on our planet, making it a win-win.
How To Make Sure You’re Getting Enough D3
According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, it’s estimated that about 1 billion people worldwide have a vitamin D deficiency, making it incredibly common (1). The International Journal of Health Sciences even goes so far as to call it “an ignored epidemic” (2).
Thankfully, the process for checking if our bodies are vitamin D3 deficient is relatively simple. A blood test from your doctor can be used to determine how much D3 is in your system and if it’s time to look into alternative sources for acquiring this important vitamin.
There are also at-home vitamin D tests and testing kits available for anyone who prefers to stay home; this method usually consists of a finger prick to measure the level of 25(OH)D in the blood, then sending away and waiting for results to return.
Following either of these testing methods, it’s vital to stay knowledgeable and consistently make an effort to incorporate D3 into daily life for optimal health and peak vascular system function.
Our Final Thoughts About Vegan D3
We need to be proactive about our health and take the extra steps necessary to make sure we’re getting the vitamins and nutrients we need to stay healthy. D3 is no exception to this rule, and with the right diet and a little assistance from vegan vitamin D supplements, we can make sure we’re doing the most to keep our hearts, bones, and immune systems healthy without compromising our values and lifestyle choices.
Trusted Sources
- Holick MF, Chen TC. Vitamin D deficiency: a worldwide problem with health consequences. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 Apr;87(4):1080S-6S. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/87.4.1080S. PMID: 18400738.
- Zahid Naaem. Vitamin D deficiency- an ignored epidemic. International Journal of Health Sciences. PMID: 21475519