

Check the Nutrition Facts label for the amount of vitamin D in a food or beverage. Fortified foods provide most of the vitamin D in the diets of people in the United States. Very few foods naturally contain vitamin D. Pregnant and breastfeeding teens and women Average daily recommended amounts are listed below in micrograms (mcg) and International Units ( IU): Life Stage The amount of vitamin D you need each day depends on your age. Your immune system needs vitamin D to fight off invading bacteria and viruses. Your muscles need it to move, and your nerves need it to carry messages between your brain and your body. Your body needs vitamin D for other functions too. Together with calcium, vitamin D helps protect you from developing osteoporosis, a disease that thins and weakens the bones and makes them more likely to break. It helps your body absorb calcium, one of the main building blocks for strong bones. Vitamin D is a nutrient you need for good health. For more details, see our health professional fact sheet on Vitamin D.įor information on vitamin D and COVID-19, see Dietary Supplements in the Time of COVID-19.


This is a reader-friendly overview of Vitamin D.
