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Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble vitamins that are indispensable for the human body. They are formed in the skin with the help of sunlight or can be ingested through certain foods.
However, about 50% of the world's population suffers from a vitamin D deficiency caused by insufficient exposure to sunlight. To treat the deficiency, there are so-called vitamin D drops. In our big vitamin D drops test 2021, we will cover the most important buying and evaluation criteria, as well as answer the most frequently asked questions, so that you are well informed about vitamin D drops in the end.
Contents
- 1 Weekly newsletter with the best personal finance tips
- 2 Summary
- 3 Best Vitamin D drops: Our Picks
- 4 Buying and evaluation criteria for vitamin D drops
- 5 Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying vitamin D drops
- 5.1 What are vitamin D drops and how do they work?
- 5.2 When and for whom is it useful to take vitamin D drops?
- 5.3 Which is better, vitamin D drops or tablets?
- 5.4 How long do vitamin D drops need to be taken for?
- 5.5 Why do some babies get vitamin D drops?
- 5.6 What are the alternatives to vitamin D drops?
Summary
- People who have a low vitamin D balance can improve it by taking vitamin D drops. They are an alternative to capsules or tablets and are suitable for those who have problems swallowing them, for example.
- Vitamin D can have a positive effect on bones, muscles, the immune system and the psyche. At-risk groups, such as seniors or babies who are less likely to be exposed to sunlight, can benefit most from the supplements.
- Even though certain foods contain vitamin D, such as fish with high oil content, they only make up a small percentage of the supply. Therefore, it is better to resort to supplements, such as vitamin D drops.
Best Vitamin D drops: Our Picks
Buying and evaluation criteria for vitamin D drops
Before you decide to buy vitamin D drops, you can pay attention to several aspects, such as:
By making the right choice for you, you can save money and also make sure that you don't give your body anything it doesn't need.
Therefore, always look for high quality and ask to see the manufacturer's certificates if necessary.
Dosing
The daily dosage of vitamin D drops always depends on the person concerned as well as on the supplement. Children, for example, should not take the same amount of vitamin D drops as adults. But more on that in the next point.
In the case of high-dosage drops, 1 drop on a teaspoon in combination with a meal is usually recommended. In all cases, a package insert is available that informs about the intake amount.
Age group
Whoever is affected by vitamin D deficiency, be it an adult, child or baby, plays an important role in determining the exact dosage of vitamin D drops. In case of low sun exposure, taking supplements is necessary. The approximate estimates for adequate vitamin D intake, depending on the age group, are:
| Age | vitamin D in the absence of synthesis µga per day |
|---|---|
| Infants (0 to under 12 months) | 10µga per day |
| Children (1 to under 15 years) | 20µga per day |
| Adolescents and adults (15 to under 65 years) | 20µga per day |
| Adults (65 years and over) | 20µga per day |
| Pregnant women | 20µga per day |
| Breastfeeding women | 20µga per day |
(2)
Side effects
Before you decide to buy vitamin D drops, you should always be aware of the potential side effects that could occur, for example, as a result of an overdose or otherwise.
If an allergic reaction is caused by the ingredients, the doctor should be consulted immediately.
There could be side effects, such as
- Swollen lips, tongue or throat,
- Difficulty swallowing,
- Hives or difficulty breathing
associated with allergies. (3)
Ingredients and taste
You should definitely pay attention to what additional ingredients are included in the liquid vitamin D supplements. Mostly, they are enriched with a sweet taste, so that the consumption is pleasant for the consumer. To give them a fruity taste, components such as orange peel or coconut oil are used.
For diabetics and vegans to be able to take vitamin D drops as well, no sugar or animal ingredients should have been included.
In general, you should check that there are no hidden active ingredients in the supplements, and that natural ingredients are used for the most part.
Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying vitamin D drops
In order to inform you comprehensively about the effectiveness of vitamin D drops and to give you an understanding of the current state of science, we have summarised all the important information in the following sections.
What are vitamin D drops and how do they work?
Bones and muscle strength
Vitamin D has the potential to prevent one in three falls and one in three hip fractures if sufficient doses of 800 IU per day are taken. This is particularly important for the older age group, as such events can have serious consequences for them. (4)
Vitamin D supplementation is a promising therapy concept for seniors, which can have a positive effect on bones and muscle strength.
In addition to calcium influx into the muscle cell, the active vitamin D hormone (1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D) binds to the vitamin D receptor to support protein synthesis. As a result, human muscle strength is improved. (5) Vitamin D is also important for calcium absorption. Without vitamin D, not enough calcium can be extracted from the diet, so it must be leached from the bones to compensate. (6)
Immune system
Vitamin D also has a positive effect on the immune system. It promotes the formation of antimicrobial peptides such as cathelicidin. This influences the development of the defence system and its function, as well as T-cell development. If a deficiency prevails, the defence of the immune system is weakened and the person is more susceptible to diseases. (7)
Psyche
Those who suffer from mental illnesses such as depression or who struggle with chronic fatigue may have had an insufficient intake of vitamin D before. There are specific docking sites for vitamin D receptors in the areas of the brain associated with depression.
The shortened days and reduced sunlight, the production of vitamin D is reduced. (8)
When and for whom is it useful to take vitamin D drops?
- Hair loss
- Weakened immune system, i.e. high susceptibility to diseases and infections.
- Sleep disorders
- Concentration problems
- Bone pain due to disturbed bone mineralisation
The problem with self-diagnosis is that in the end you cannot be sure whether you are actually suffering from a vitamin D deficiency, as the symptoms are very vague and its causes could lie elsewhere. For this reason, a visit to the doctor should be planned.
For certain risk groups, vitamin D drops or other forms of administration are recommended. These include infants, the elderly, dark-skinned people, overweight people, and people who generally have little exposure to sunlight. (9)
Which is better, vitamin D drops or tablets?
(Bildquelle: monticello/ 123rf.com)
As we already know, most vitamin D drops have an added flavour, such as coconut or orange, so they are more attractive to the consumer and can make taking them a little more enjoyable.
How long do vitamin D drops need to be taken for?
Why do some babies get vitamin D drops?
Babies need a daily supply of 10-12.5µg (10)and this can, in most cases, only be achieved through supplementation. Vitamin D deficiency can be detrimental to the child's bone health, as disruption of bone mineralisation can lead to rickets, deformities of the skeleton, weak muscle strength and higher susceptibility to infection.
However, those who are afraid of an overdose need not worry about this: A vitamin D overdose will not occur if the baby is given the recommended amount of 10-12 ug. Moreover, the tolerable upper limit for children under 10 years of age is 50 uq per day. (11)
What are the alternatives to vitamin D drops?
| Food | Vitamin D per 100 grams in micrograms (µg) |
|---|---|
| Herring | 31µg |
| Salmon | 16µg |
| Oysters | 8µg |
| Tuna | 5.4µg |
| Eel (smoked) | 90µg |
What is striking here is that many marine animals contain a higher amount of vitamin D.
(Image source: susansam/ 123rf.com)
However, if you are not a fan of fish and seafood, don't want to take supplements and rarely expose yourself to the sun, this can be a problem.
Image source: Baibakova/ 123rf.com
References (12)
1.
Herausgegeben von: EFSA: Europäische Behörde für Lebensmittelsicherheit
Source
2.
Herausgegeben von: German Nutrition Society, Bonn, Germany
Source
3.
Herausgegeben von: Infectopharm
Source
4.
Autoren: Heike A. Bischoff-Ferraria, Thomas Rosemann, Daniel Grobb, Robert Theilerb, Hans-Peter Simmen, Otto Meyera
Source
5.
Autoren: H. A. Bischoff-Ferrari (Instructor and Associate Epidemiologist), M. Conzelmann, W. Dick, R. Theiler & H. B. Stähelin
Source
6.
Autor: Dr. Alexandra Schek
Source
7.
Autoren: E. Husar-Memmer, J. Zwerina
Source
8.
Herausgegeben von: Hormon Zentrum an der Oper - Endokrinologie München
Source
9.
Autoren: Rathish Nair, Arun Maseeh
Source
10.
Aktualisierte Handlungsempfehlungen des Netzwerks Gesund ins Leben – Netzwerk Junge Familie, ein Projekt von IN FORM
Autoren: B. Koletzko, C.-P. Bauer, A. Brönstrup, M. Cremer, M. Flothkötter, C. Hellmers, M. Kersting, M. Krawinkel, H. Przyrembel, T. Schäfer, K. Vetter, U. Wahn & A. Weißenborn
Source
11.
Autoren: M. Wabitsch, B. Koletzko und A. Moß
Source
12.
Herausgegeben von: Robert Koch Institut
Source
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