What Is Vitamin D6 & What Does It Do?

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Known as the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D does wonders for our bodies, but what specifically does vitamin D6 do? Let’s find out.

Vitamin D6 is used to promote the health and strength of our bones, as well as to boost calcium absorption and immune function. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that hosts a family of compounds which includes vitamins D1, D2, D3 and D6. Our body can produce vitamin D naturally when the body is directly exposed to sunlight. But what really is vitamin D6 and what does it do?vitamin D6

What is vitamin D6?

Vitamin D6 is used to facilitate and support the normal function of the immune system, along with the promotion of healthy bones, and good calcium absorption. It is usually prescribed as a medicine to care for people suffering from medical conditions, by which bones and calcium absorption are affected.

What is vitamin D6 used for?

Vitamin D6 is a prescribed vitamin that is used to help the prevention, maintenance and control of healthy bones. Our bones are put through a lot of stress day-to-day, so making sure to maintain a healthy vitamin D6 level is essential.

Vitamin D6 is also used to aid normal immune function and to help cure any symptoms of immune decline or infection.

Top 4 food sources of vitamin D6

There are a lot of food sources that are all great in making sure you get enough of the vitamin D family. Those range from fish, vegetables, fruits and meats.

Salmonvitamin D foods

Salmon is a great source of vitamin D and is a popular fish choice. A 100g serving of salmon contains almost 66% of your daily amount of vitamin D alone. However, wild-caught salmon contains more of the vitamin than farmed salmon.

Egg Yolks

It may seem unlikely that the orange yolk of an egg can contain much in the way of vitamins, however, it does. Eggs are another great source of vitamin D, the majority of their protein is found in the egg white, whereas the yolk is full of vitamins and minerals that are all great for the human body.

The yolk of a large egg can contain around 5 of the daily number of vitamins alone.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms are a great source of vitamin D6 and are a great vegan option. Mushrooms, much like humans, synthesize vitamin D when they come into contact, with or are exposed to UV rays. This makes them a great food source for the vitamin. However, some farmed mushrooms don’t get as much time in the sun and therefore contain less vitamin D6. A cup of muchrooms that have been exposed to UV rays can contain up to 130% of the daily amount.

Cows milk

This is another great natural source of vitamin D6. It also contains other vitamins such as calcium, phosphorus and riboflavin. A cup of cow’s milk contains around 15% of the daily recommended intake.

Are there any side effects of vitamin D6?

As with any vitamin, especially if taken as a supplement, there are always risks of side effects. With vitamin D6, there are a few possible side effects one may suffer from if too much is taken.

If you notice any of the below symptoms, then you should contact your doctor. Whenever taking any supplements, you should always consult your doctor first. This is because some health conditions may react to the increase in certain vitamin levels. Which can cause major health issues if not treated or noticed quickly.

If you consume too much vitamin D6 or your body is reacting to the increase in intake, then you may experience some of the following:

  • Confusion or trouble with memory
  • Feeling more irritable than usual
  • Major changes in your overall behaviour
  • Urinating more frequently
  • Severe chest pain
  • Digestive issues or discomfort
  • Difficulty breathing or feeling short of breath

vitamin D6 capsule

It is important to make sure you take note of the medication if any, that you are already taking and seek advice from a trusted health professional on whether taking supplements alongside them is the best thing to do.

That is our guide to vitamin D6 and what it does, if you want to learn more about the vitamin D family, and how to get more of it, then take a look at our article on the best foods for vitamin D, next.

Sources:

https://www.tabletwise.net/medicine/vitamin-d6

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/9-foods-high-in-vitamin-d#7.-Vitamin-D-fortified-foods

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