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In the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab, our registered dietitians thoroughly evaluate supplements and prioritize options that have been third-party tested to ensure purity, potency and safety.
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That's why researching each product before you purchase a supplement is so important. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before going on the market. If you and your healthcare provider determine that you could benefit from a vitamin D supplement, it's important to note that all dietary supplements, including vitamin D, are not approved by the U.S. And if you're someone who doesn't spend much time outdoors and isn't eating vitamin D-rich foods regularly, she recommends getting your levels checked with your doctor to see if a supplement is right for you. Sassos adds that certain populations, including older adults, are at higher risk of developing a vitamin D deficiency. “You may be familiar with vitamin D’s role in keeping bones strong and absorbing calcium, but it has a slew of other important functions and benefits, from supporting immunity and brain health to even regulating blood sugar levels,” says Stefani Sassos, R.D.N., the Good Housekeeping Institute's Nutrition Lab director. Not only can the human body manufacture vitamin D from the sun, but we can also get the nutrient through certain foods and supplementation. But some much-needed sunshine also plays a crucial role in your overall health since it provides a dose of vitamin D. Spending time outside in the sun (don't forget your sunblock!) can help improve mood, reduce stress and more. In April 2023, we added more information for all of our top-rated picks and replaced out-of-stock items.
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