Vitamin D Dose-Response by Supplement Type

Published on November 5, 2019

Vitamin D supplements come in a variety of types including liquid-filled capsules, power-filled capsules, pills, and drops or sprays. In an earlier post we showed the percent of participants using each vitamin D supplement type. Today, we’ll explore whether certain supplement types raise vitamin D levels better than others.

We plotted the vitamin D intake dose and associated vitamin D level for participants using only one supplement type for at least 2 months. The chart below shows the dose-response curve for those taking liquid supplements (including drops or sprays), liquid-filled capsules, powder or powder-filled capsules, and pills or tablets. We found essentially no difference in dose-response between these supplement types.

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There were not enough participants taking gummies, sublinguals or lozenges, or topical patches or creams to assess these supplement types.

How are your nutrient levels responding to supplementation?

Make sure you know your vitamin D level (with a target of 40-60 ng/ml or 100-150 nmol/L) and Omega-3 Index (with a target of 8% or higher) levels, as well as your levels of essential nutrients, such as magensium. Through GrassrootsHealth Nutrient Research Institute, you can also test your inflammation levels, including your level of hsCRP. Find out your levels today! Log on to the shop (click the link below) to get your tests and see for yourself if your level can be improved.

Make sure you track your results before and after, about every 6 months!

How can I track my nutrient intake and levels over time?

To help you track your supplement use and nutrient levels, GrassrootsHealth has created an online tracking system called myData-myAnswers. For each specific supplement, you can track what days you take it, how much, and many other details. This will help you know your true supplemental intake and what patterns of use work for you to reach and maintain optimum nutrient levels. Check it out today!

How Can You Use this Information for YOUR Health?

Having and maintaining healthy vitamin D and other nutrient levels can help improve your health now and for your future. Measuring is the only way to make sure you are getting enough!

STEP 1 Order your at-home blood spot test kit to measure vitamin D and other nutrients of concern to you, such as omega-3s, magnesium, essential and toxic elements (zinc, copper, selenium, lead, cadmium, mercury); include hsCRP as a marker of inflammation or HbA1c for blood sugar health

STEP 2 Answer the online questionnaire as part of the GrassrootsHealth study

STEP 3 Using our educational materials and tools (such as our dose calculators), assess your results to determine if you are in your desired target range or if actions should be taken to get there

STEP 4 After 3-6 months of implementing your changes, re-test to see if you have achieved your target level(s)

Enroll in D*action and Build Your Custom Test Kit!