FAQ About Immune Health

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Should vitamin C be taken with or without food?

Vitamin C is water-soluble, so it can be taken with water alone. However, it is recommended to be taken with a meal in order to reduce any potential gastrointestinal distress.

How much vitamin C can I safely take each day?

The recommended daily intake is 75mg for women and 90mg for men, but many experts recommend at least 200mg per day. For optimal benefits, 1000mg per day is considered most effective, especially when taken with a meal for best absorption. However, doses of over 2000mg per day have been known to cause intestinal discomfort and bloating. Doses over 2000mg per day have also been known to interfere with the absorption of selenium and copper.

What are the benefits of taking vitamin C?

Vitamin C helps neutralize free radicals and increases iron absorption. In addition, Vitamin C has been studied for various health benefits including its ability to support the immune system.

What are the food sources of vitamin C?

Almost 90% of dietary vitamin C comes from foods of plant origin. Vitamin C can be found in fruits, (especially citrus), and vegetables, including green and red peppers, tomatoes, and green leafy varieties.

Should one take vitamin C when taking iron supplements?

Vitamin C helps to enhance absorption of iron. Therefore, if one takes an iron supplement, it may be advantageous to take vitamin C along with the iron supplement.

Should one take vitamin C in conjunction with vitamin E?

When taken together, antioxidant vitamin C enhances the ability of vitamin E to counter the damaging effects of free radicals in the body. For optimal health, take vitamin C and vitamin E together.

What is vitamin D going to do for me?

It is necessary for the absorption and metabolism of calcium and phosphorus in the intestine and bones. Vitamin D helps regulate the excretion of calcium from the kidneys and maintains normal blood levels of this mineral.

How much should I take every day and how much is too much?

The daily value is 400 IU to not become deficient. It is recommended that adults take 800 IU to 1000 IU on a daily basis. The safe upper limit is 2000 IU daily.

What are symptoms of deficiency?

Rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults result from poor ossification of bone tissue, resulting in weak bones that bend readily.

What’s the difference between D2 and D3? What type is the Nature Made Vitamin D (400 IU and 1000 IU)?

Vitamin D2, or ergocalciferol, is derived from plant sources; vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol, is found in foods of animal origin and is manufactured by the body when the skin is exposed to UV light. Our Vitamin D supplements are in the form of D3, which is derived from lamb’s wool (lanolin).

Is there gluten in the Nature Made Vitamin D 400 IU and Vitamin D 1000 IU supplements?

No. They are gluten-free.

Why don’t you label the amount of calcium in the Nature Made Vitamin D supplement?

The calcium carbonate in this product functions as a binder, and although it does contribute a small amount of calcium, that’s not its main purpose.

What form of vitamin D do you use in your products? Is it D2 or D3?

Our Vitamin D supplements contain vitamin D from D3, which is the preferred source of vitamin D. Further, the vitamin D in our multivitamins is also from D3. We recently added the “D3” designation on our labels as our consumers have been asking us the source of our Vitamin D. However, please note that we have not changed the source of Vitamin D in these products.

Lately, I’ve been reading Vitamin D is good for immunity and I’d never heard that before. Can you tell me how it helps your immune system?

Vitamin D is a powerful immune system support nutrient. It is the conductor of all the body’s defense mechanisms, and it dramatically helps the cells’ ability to stay healthy. There are over 500 published studies on vitamin D’s role in immune system support. Vitamin D has emerged as one of the most important nutrients for immune health, especially during the winter, when vitamin D levels drop across the nation.