Is vitamin D essential to have when supplementing with calcium?
A. Vitamin D can be made endogenously (made by the body) from sun exposure on the sun. During the fall and winter months in Canada, many people fall short of getting adequate sunlight so supplementing with vitamin D is recommended. Calcium intake, when combined with sufficient vitamin D, a healthy diet, and regular exercise, may reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis. Vitamin D stimulates the absorption of calcium. Low blood levels of vitamin D have become a widely reported concern. Adults working long hours indoors, seniors and those in care homes also spending most of their time indoors could be prone to become vitamin D deficient.
