Vitamin D: When to Take It & How to Track It
Also called: Vitamin D3, Cholecalciferol, Vitamin D2
By MagdaLast updated
What is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin your body needs to absorb calcium and keep bones strong. Your skin makes it in sunlight, and a few foods contain it, such as oily fish, egg yolks and fortified cereals. In the UK, the NHS says the sun is too weak from October to early March for the body to make enough, so many people are advised to consider a supplement in autumn and winter. Some groups are advised to take it all year, including people who rarely go outdoors or who cover most of their skin. Because it is a once-a-day habit that often runs for months, a vitamin D supplement is easy to forget once the novelty wears off.
When to take Vitamin D: general timing information
Vitamin D is fat-soluble. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements says it is best absorbed when taken with a meal or snack that includes some fat. [1]
Dietary fat helps absorption, but some vitamin D is still absorbed without it, so consistency matters more than a perfect meal. [2]
Steroids such as prednisone can lower vitamin D levels, and the weight-loss drug orlistat can reduce how much vitamin D you absorb. Ask your pharmacist if you take either. [1]
If you take a thiazide diuretic, vitamin D supplements could push your blood calcium too high. Check with your doctor before starting. [1]
Taking too much vitamin D for a long time can cause a build-up of calcium in the body (hypercalcaemia). Stick to the amount on the label or the amount your doctor gave you. [3]
How to set a Vitamin D reminder in Pillzy
Open Pillzy, tap the + button and add "Vitamin D" with the dose printed on your label or given by your doctor.
Under Meal Timing, choose During meal so the reminder fits with a meal that contains some fat.
Set the frequency to Once daily and pick the time of the meal you eat most reliably, such as breakfast or dinner.
Add a note like "take with food" or "Oct to Mar" if you only take it in the darker months.
When the reminder arrives, mark the dose as taken or snooze it until you sit down to eat.
Check your Statistics after a few weeks to see how many doses you took.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to take vitamin D in the morning or at night?
The NIH and NHS do not name a best time of day for vitamin D. What the NIH does stress is taking it with a meal or snack that has some fat, so pick whichever daily meal you are least likely to skip and keep it there.
Do I need vitamin D in summer too?
The NHS says most people in the UK can get enough vitamin D from sunlight and a balanced diet between late March and the end of September. People who rarely go outside, cover most of their skin, or have dark skin may be advised to take it all year, so ask your GP or pharmacist what applies to you.
Can I take vitamin D and calcium at the same time?
Many products combine the two, and vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. If you take a thiazide diuretic, ask your doctor first, because the NIH notes that vitamin D supplements with these medicines can raise blood calcium too far.