Vitamin D Spray Benefits

Tens of thousands of us have been happily swallowing vitamin D pills for decades. So why might you want to consider using a vitamin D spray instead? 

As it turns out, there are actually quite a few benefits of vitamin D sprays that you might not be aware of, and we’ll be addressing them all in this article. 

We’re going to break that question down into two different parts. 

We’ll start out by looking at the benefits of vitamin D sprays over more traditional supplement forms like capsules or tablets. 

Then in the second part of this article we’ll look more broadly at the health benefits of taking any kind of vitamin D supplement. 

Let’s get started.

Vitamin D Sprays Vs Tablets

Here at Simply Supplements we’ve been selling vitamin D in tablet and capsule form for years. We know from scientific studies that such supplements are highly effective at increasing vitamin D levels in the body. We also know from our 40,000+ Trustpilot reviews that our vitamin D tablets are always highly-rated. So why introduce a spray to our already-popular range?

Different Absorption Route

It’s tempting to assume that spraying liquid vitamin D into your mouth is very similar to swallowing a capsule or tablet. It’s logical to think as you swallow, the liquid vitamin D will travel through your digestive system like a tablet, slowly being absorbed through the wall of the gut. 

However, studies have shown that isn’t necessarily the whole story.
 
Scientific investigations on vitamin D sprays show an alternative absorption route - this time through the soft tissues of the mouth. Yes, the vitamin D can literally be absorbed into the body through your mucous membranes. 

Whether this different absorption route is better will depend on your individual circumstances (discussed below) but it’s certainly one element that sets sprays apart from tablets. 

Reduced Gut Absorption

You might be surprised to learn just how many people suffer from reduced gut absorption. This means that traditional supplements might not always be fully absorbed after swallowing. 

There are a range of health conditions that can affect how much our digestive system absorbs, and many people with sub-optimal absorption may not even be aware of it. 

However that’s hardly the whole story. 

Our gut permeability tends to naturally decline as we age, so more mature individuals, even if seemingly in good health, may also not absorb nutrients as effectively as they once did. 

Individuals like these may benefit from the alternative absorption route offered by oral spray supplements. 

No Difficulties Swallowing Tablets

Many of us dislike swallowing tablets. They may make us gag or wretch, and typically the larger the tablet, the more unpleasant it is to swallow. 

While vitamin D tablets are typically quite small in size, children and the elderly may still find them difficult to take. 

Finding a suitable alternative isn’t always easy. But a vitamin D oral spray is one easy swap to make. Now there really is no excuse to suffer from low vitamin D levels, no matter your lifestyle.

Delicious Fruity Taste

We’ll admit that this benefit perhaps isn’t the most scientific, but supplements that taste good are few and far between. 

When you actually enjoy the taste of your vitamin D you’ll be surprised how much easier it can be to remember to take it, and to stick with your supplement regime over the long term. 

Our vitamin D oral sprays currently come in two different flavours; Orange or Elderberry & Lime, making them a pleasant daily addition to your health routine.  

Vitamins on the Go

Vitamin tablets typically aren’t the most practical thing to carry around with you or leave in your car. The bottles can be big and they can rattle. But sprays are different. 

Oral sprays are smaller, more subtle and won’t make awkward noises when being carried around. If you’re someone who is looking for a vitamin D solution that fits a hectic lifestyle then an oral spray might be just what you need. 

Effectiveness Rates

Many of us have been taking vitamin D tablets for years. If you’re on the fence about trying a vitamin D spray instead then you may be wondering how effective sprays really are? 

Fortunately there have been a number of scientific studies on the topic in recent years so we have some data we can look at.

One study pitted both vitamin D sprays and tablets against each other. A group of volunteers took one treatment or the other for a period of 4 weeks. Then, they all took a break, to allow their vitamin D levels to fall back to normal. Finally the volunteers swapped treatment, so the group originally taking vitamin D tablets now used a spray instead and vice versa. Vitamin D levels of all participants were monitored throughout.

The results showed that both treatments effectively raised vitamin D levels in the body. On average 59% of candidates demonstrated insufficient vitamin D levels at the beginning, while that dropped to zero with treatment. Crucially, however, the scientists found “no significant difference” between the two treatments, concluding that “oral spray vitamin D3 is an equally effective alternative to capsule supplementation in healthy adults”. 

A second study compared gelatin-based vitamin D capsules with a spray. While the total number of participants was considerably smaller than the earlier study it included both individuals with normal gut absorption rates and those with identified absorption issues. 

The results of this small clinical trial weighed even more in favour of the vitamin D spray. While both methods increased vitamin D concentration in the body, the spray actually came out considerably ahead for both groups. They concluded that the “spray produced a significantly higher [vitamin D] concentration as compared to the soft gelatin capsule”.

Lastly we can draw on the work of sports scientists. For some years there have been suggestions that higher vitamin D levels may improve exercise performance, such as by strengthening muscles or increasing oxygen use in the body. 

One such study gave footballers a daily vitamin D spray to monitor performance changes. While ultimately the test failed to identify any improvements in sporting ability, the data did show that the spray “significantly increased” vitamin D levels in the body, even if this did not translate to improved sports performance. 

These studies combined really help to underline one simple fact: that vitamin D sprays are not the latest fad. In fact, depending on the study you look at it seems that vitamin D sprays are at least as effective as tablets or capsules, and in some situations they may even be more effective. 

Why Take Vitamin D Anyway?

Vitamin D is probably one of the most well-known and most commonly-taken supplements of all. Even Public Health England recommends a vitamin D supplement during the winter months for the British population. For some people, a vitamin D supplement is advised year-round. 

But in case you’re wondering why we should take our vitamin D levels more seriously, here are just a few good reasons…

Healthy Skeleton

Vitamin D is probably most famous for helping to contribute to a strong skeleton. Severe deficiencies are known to lead to rickets in children or osteoporosis in more mature adults. 

The osteoporosis figures are stark - it has been estimated that a third of women over the age of 55 will suffer from osteoporosis sooner or later. While vitamin D is only one of several nutrients known to help maintain a strong skeleton as we age - others include calcium, phosphorus and vitamin K - it certainly plays a central role. 

However don’t think that it’s just individuals at either end of the age-range who should take extra care over their bones. For example, it has been shown in scientific studies that hormonal changes in the run-up to the menopause can have a negative impact on bone density. The North American Menopause Society, for example, states that major risk factors for osteoporosis include “low calcium and vitamin D intake”.

Even if fit and healthy, taking a supplement is a reasonably simple and cost-effective way to be confident you’re keeping your body topped up with vitamin D no matter what the season.   

Immune Support

In recent decades there has been growing evidence that vitamin D plays a crucial role in a healthy immune system. 

Vitamin D plays a role in activating and supporting many of the recognised immune cells of the body. However there is also growing evidence that it may influence gut bacteria, another potent source of immune support.   

Cardiovascular Health 

According to the British Heart Foundation there is one heart attack every 5 minutes in the UK. Furthermore, there are 7.6 million British people currently living with heart or circulatory conditions. In other words, we as a nation are really struggling with our cardiovascular health.

There are dozens of different factors that can impact cardiovascular health, from whether you smoke or not, to your exercise regime and of course your diet. So while vitamin D intake most certainly isn’t the only - or even likely the most important - factor, it does still seem to have a role to play.

In the USA, a huge study on the vitamin D status of the population estimated that 50 million teenagers suffered from a vitamin D insufficiency. Data from the researchers suggested that this nutrient status was associated with a 2.4-fold increase in high blood pressure, and as a result a 4-fold increase in metabolic syndrome. 

However the above study wasn’t merely observational. As part of their research, the scientists tested giving 2,000 IU’s of vitamin D per day to participants. Their results demonstrated a “significant decrease in arterial wall stiffness” which often precedes more serious cardiovascular conditions.  

Studies have shown that vitamin D intake can regulate the function of the cells that line your blood vessels. In doing so, a higher vitamin D status is linked to healthier blood pressure. And of course when blood pressure falls to healthy levels, your heart is placed under less stress. The end result can be greater health and longevity. 

Cancer Protection

Understandably one must be wary over any evidence that a certain nutrient is cancer-protective, but there has been some fascinating research in this area. 

One study found, for example, that an increase in vitamin D within the body was associated with a “17% reduction in total cancer incidence”. The most surprising finding was that this effect was most noticeable in digestive cancers, in which higher vitamin D levels could help account for a 45% reduction in incidents.  
 
A separate large study carried out over 4 years in mature women found that a daily dose of vitamin D (1100iu) and calcium (400-1500mg) reduced total cancer incidence by 60%.

Yet another study, this time collating data from a huge range of previous analyses, indicated a 30-50% reduction in risk of colorectal, breast and prostate cancer by “increasing vitamin D intake to least 1000iu per day”.

While this is a topic of ongoing research, and we have yet to reach general consensus on the impact of vitamin D on cancer rates, it’s just one more reason why a simple vitamin spray could make a worthy addition to your daily routine. 

Vitamin D is Low in Most Foods

Very few foods contain much in the way of vitamin D. While a few foods, such as oily fish and mushrooms, contain a modest amount it is not always easy to meet your body’s needs this way. The same goes for fortified foods such as many breakfast cereals. 

In reality most of us only have two reliable ways to increase vitamin D levels in the body; exposure to sunshine or supplementation. Even exposure to the sun, however, can be less effective for some individuals than others...

Vitamin D Levels Can Vary

The human body is pretty amazing at synthesizing vitamin D in the skin, in response to exposure to the sun’s rays. However studies have shown that some people produce far less than others. More mature individuals, or those with more highly pigmented skin, may struggle to produce as much as a younger and/or fair-skinned individual. 

Then of course there is today’s modern lifestyle to consider, where many of us spend extended periods indoors, even during the summer. And when we do finally have a day off from our office jobs, we’re ever-more mindful of the potential harm that excessive sunshine can do. Yet as we cover up with long sleeves, hats and sunscreen, so we also impact our skin’s ability to generate vitamin D. 

While short doses of direct sunlight on bright days can be very effective for boosting vitamin D levels, many of us still benefit from a regular intake thanks to supplements.  

Conclusion

As we’ve seen in this article, sufficient vitamin D levels are associated with many aspects of good health. Being difficult to attain through the diet, many of us now rely on a vitamin D supplement for peace of mind. 

At the same time, the evidence so far demonstrates the effectiveness of vitamin D sprays as a suitable alternative to more traditional mechanisms. Some people may even find them more effective than their traditional supplement. So why not give one a try today? 

Sources:

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