Vitamin D is fat-soluble vitamin that is stored in the liver and fatty tissues. There are two types of vitamin D, D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol). D2 is found in veggies such as mushrooms, while D3 is found in animal foods such as salmon, cod, and egg yolks. In raising blood levels of vitamin D, vitamin D3 has twice the efficiency than D2.
The vitamin D that a person would need has a few different variables that include age,skin color, current blood vitamin D levels, and where they live in reference to the equator. People that live farther from the equator have a higher chance of having a deficiency in Vitamin D than those that live closer to the equator. Vitamin D deficiency can be found through having a blood test run to determine the amount of vitamin D is in your body.
It is impossible to overdose on vitamin D from the sunlight and the only way that negative effects would happen would be by taking an extremely high dose of 50,000 IU for a long period of time. A suggested range is between 1000 – 2000 IU per day. Some people may need more or less than others. The best way to find out how much you need is to have your blood tested.
Secret: Vitamin D3 is created by UV rays converting cholesterol in the skin into vitamin D.