What is it?
Vitamin D is a hormone that regulates many critical body functions, including bone and calcium metabolism.
New ‘non-classical’ functions of vitamin D are being discovered, including control of the immune system.
Low vitamin D levels have been linked to many diseases including multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, respiratory infections, and chronic pain.
How does it help improve / prevent me from getting arthritis?
Reduced vitamin D intake has been linked to an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
Whilst the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, it is widely accepted that vitamin D’s regulation of the immune system is important in preventing rheumatoid arthritis and reducing disease activity.
Am I getting this already from my diet?
Vitamin D naturally occurs in some foods, such as oily fish, red meat, liver and egg yolks.
Sunlight is the main source of vitamin D for most people, which is absorbed through the skin and converted into vitamin D by the liver and kidneys.
More than 60% of older adults don’t get enough vitamin D, in part because the body becomes less efficient at producing it over time.
During autumn and winter, NHS England advises everyone to take vitamin D supplements to support their general health.
Has it been tested?
- A 2015 Cochrane review, recognized internationally as high-quality, trusted information, found that studies in rheumatoid arthritis did not show a consistent effect of vitamin D supplementation
- A 2020 review investigating natural supplements for rheumatoid arthritis found that vitamin D supplementation significantly improved disability and pain
- A 2020 analysis of 6 clinical trials found that vitamin D supplementation seemed to be effective for patients with rheumatoid arthritis
We only use the best available evidence in our analysis. Click here to learn more.
How much do I need to take?
There’s no consensus on how much vitamin D is healthy.
While the recommended daily dose is 800 international units (IU), the American Geriatrics Association recommends at least 1,000 IU.
Does it have any side effects?
Taking vitamin D for long periods of time in doses higher than 4000 IU daily is possibly unsafe.
As with any supplement, it’s best to talk with your healthcare provider before adding vitamin D supplements to your diet.
Is there anything else I need to know?
You can ask your doctor to check your vitamin D levels with a simple blood test.
When buying a vitamin D supplement, look for vitamin D3 (the same form the body makes from sunlight). It is better absorbed and more effective than vitamin D2.
Taking vitamin D with meals will increase absorption by 30% to 50%.
Some medications for rheumatoid arthritis can affect how your body absorbs vitamin D, in particular hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) and corticosteroids.
Where is the best place to buy Vitamin D?
For the UK & EU, our Vitamin D product recommendation is ‘Vitamin D3 tablets’ from simplysupplements.com – each tablet contains 2000 IU of Vitamin D! We recommend taking one tablet daily, especially during winter months when there is less sunlight.
For the USA, our Vitamin D product recommendation is ‘Vitamin D3 tablets’ from NatureWise – each tablet contains 5000 IU of Vitamin D! We recommend taking one tablet daily, especially during winter months when there is less sunlight.
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