I get a little sun every day, do I need to take vitamin D, too?
I take TUMS for calcium; if I get a little sun every day, do I need to take vitamin D, too?
answer:
TUMS are an inexpensive and convenient source of calcium, but they don’t include vitamin D, which is crucial for absorption.
In theory, you can get the vitamin D you need from sunlight; all it takes is 10 to 15 minutes of sunscreen-free sun exposure at least two times a week. But for many people this isn’t simple: If you live in a northern region, or even in an area with lots of air pollution, you may not be exposed to enough of the UV light that’s required, especially in winter. People with dark skin, the elderly, and those with celiac disease have an especially hard time with this.
If you suspect you’re not getting enough, you may want to supplement. The current recommendations for vitamin D intake (from food and supplements) are 200 international units (IU) daily for adults under 50,400 IU for people ages 51 to 70, and 600 IU for those over 71.
One more thing: TUMS don’t contain aluminum, which some studies have linked to Alzheimer’s disease, but other antacids may; check the labels before you buy.