Why Vitamin D supplements do not work even when taken daily

Growing awareness around vitamin D deficiency is generating more interest in vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D is of fundamental importance in the improvement and development of bones, as well as in a healthy immune system. It is produced in the skin in response to sunshine but is also obtained through some kinds of food and supplements.

Though many people take Vitamin D supplements, many of them do not see any results even when they take it daily. Several factors may contribute to Vitamin D ineffectiveness. Let’s learn about a few.

One of the biggest reasons as to why Vitamin D supplements don't appear to work is bioavailability-that is, how well the body absorbs and utilizes the nutrient. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin thus it needs dietary fats for optimal absorption. Individuals on low-fat diets or suffering from conditions, which impair fat absorption like celiac disease, Crohn's disease, may not accurately absorb Vitamin D from supplements.

The type of Vitamin D supplement taken can also influence its absorption. There are actually two types: Vitamin D2 or ergocalciferol, and Vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol. This latter is considered to be stronger at causing an increase in the circulating level of the vitamin than the former.

Incorrect dosage might be a waste even if you taking it regularly
Many people feel that any amount of Vitamin D will do, but the reality is that the dosage taken can differ significantly from person to person in terms of age, weight, location, and overall health. The recommendation for most adults is between 600 and 800 IU (International Units). In some cases, even 1,000 to 2,000 IU daily is insufficient to raise Vitamin D levels to the desired range. Without monitoring the blood levels, it becomes virtually impossible to know whether someone is taking enough. Thus, many people are taking less Vitamin D than what is required and necessary to give health benefits.

The reason could be genetic too!
Another reason that a person may not benefit enough from Vitamin D is genetic. The VDR gene dictates how your body will process and use Vitamin D. It is these variations in this gene that can cause one individual to respond differently than another. Therefore, some individuals might have a genetic predisposition toward Vitamin D deficiency, regardless of dietary supplements or sufficient sun exposure. In such cases, the person could be in need of more doses of Vitamin D supplement to attain normal levels; or maybe other approaches.

Genetic polymorphisms in Vitamin D metabolic genes, such as CYP2R1 and CYP24A1, may determine how Vitamin D is metabolized to an active form. These genetic variations might therefore be able to block the supplementation process from fully yielding its intended outcomes even after having appropriately quantified regular supplementation cycles so that the blood levels of Vitamin D chronically remain low.

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Less sunlight
Vitamin D supplements are mainly used as substitutes for natural sunlight exposure, which is considered the chief source for most people to obtain Vitamin D. Growing evidence, however, reveals that the vitamin obtained through sunlight may be better than that from a supplement. Sunlight causes the production of Vitamin D in the skin in a ready-to-use form by the body and may be easier to use than synthetic forms.

Pre-existing health condition might be making it difficult for the body to absorb vitamin D
For instance, some diseases may cause the body's failure to metabolize or utilize Vitamin D very well. Patients with kidney disease are often unable to convert Vitamin D very well into its active form, which makes supplementation less effective. As for liver diseases, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis, it can impair the proper conversion of Vitamin D. This may even lead to inadequate levels despite day-to-day supplementation.
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Obesity may also impair the proper working of Vitamin D supplements. Since Vitamin D is deposited in fatty tissues, the higher amounts of body fat would be expected to sequester more vitamin, thus rendering it less available for use by the body. As such, one will require much higher doses of Vitamin D supplements to bring about the same impacts on individuals who have higher percentages of body fats rather than on persons with low body fat.

Are you taking any other medication?
Another potential explanation behind the ineffectiveness of Vitamin D supplement is interaction with other medications. Several drugs, such as glucocorticoids, anticonvulsants, and cholesterol-lowering drugs, affect the metabolism of Vitamin D and interfere with its absorption. In patients who use such medications, standard dosing of Vitamin D is not sufficient and higher than standard doses or the alternative form may be necessary.

Other over-the-counter supplements, including calcium or magnesium, also interfere with Vitamin D, hence affecting its absorption and utilization. In some people, they consume supplements that the body may not take in anticipation as claimed, leading to lower levels of what is expected to be found in the body even after regular supplementation.

Unrealistic expectations based on wrong information
Vitamin D supplements are ineffective because many people think Vitamin D is some miracle panacea for various health issues. The truth is, Vitamin D does play an important role in ensuring sound bone health and immune functions; however, the use of Vitamin D in the prevention of heart diseases, a decrease in cancer risks, and good moods is still being researched. In some cases, people take Vitamin D supplements but based on the expectations that are still unproven scientifically, and for them disappointments arise when the supplements do not meet those expectations.

The other reason is that sometimes false assumptions can prevail; symptoms of another deficiency or illness could be mistaken for being due to low Vitamin D levels. An example can be an individual who starts experiencing fatigue, muscle weakness, or joint pain, which can be attributed to a myriad of causes such as lack of sleep, stress, or other nutritional deficiencies. If such symptoms persist even after taking Vitamin D supplements, the possibility remains that they might not be due to Vitamin D, and other causes need to be attended to.

Not getting tests done in time
Monitoring of blood levels is one of the most critical, yet often neglected, components in the use of Vitamin D supplements. Blood tests can only be considered a reliable indicator of the effectiveness of supplements if they measure serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). Without this knowledge, those who administer the supplements may never find out that dosages are sufficient or whether their level is improving.

Some might think that so long as they take a vitamin D supplement each day, they are getting all the Vitamin D they need. In many cases, it isn't quite that easy. Routine follow-ups, especially on at-risk individuals, can ensure that supplementation is effective and blood levels remain optimum.