Cialis Daily Reviews: Effectiveness, User Satisfaction, and Dosage Guidelines
How effective is Cialis for treating erectile dysfunction. What are the common side effects of daily Cialis use. What dosage of Cialis is recommended for optimal results. How long does it take for Cialis to start working. Can Cialis be taken on a full stomach.
Understanding Cialis: Mechanism of Action and Benefits
Cialis, also known by its generic name tadalafil, is a medication primarily used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). It belongs to a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. Cialis works by increasing blood flow to the penis, helping men achieve and maintain an erection suitable for sexual activity.
The unique selling point of Cialis is its long-lasting effect, often referred to as the “weekend pill”. While other ED medications typically work for 4-5 hours, Cialis can remain effective for up to 36 hours after taking a single dose. This extended duration allows for more spontaneity in sexual activity, which many users find appealing.
Key Benefits of Cialis:
- Long-lasting effect (up to 36 hours)
- Increased spontaneity in sexual activity
- Available in daily low-dose options
- Can also help with symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Cialis Effectiveness: User Experiences and Clinical Studies
The effectiveness of Cialis has been widely reported by users and confirmed in numerous clinical studies. Many men find that Cialis significantly improves their ability to achieve and maintain erections, leading to more satisfying sexual experiences.
One user reported, “Within an hour of taking a 10mg tablet, I can be very hard and not have to worry about losing it. We’re enjoying extended sex again. Maybe because I’m staying very hard, my orgasms and ejaculation are much more intense.”
Another user shared, “I had one of the strongest, firmest erections I’ve ever had. The effects lasted into the next day as well. This medicine is exceptional.”
Clinical Studies on Cialis Effectiveness
Clinical studies have consistently shown Cialis to be effective in treating ED. A meta-analysis of 16 trials involving 5,189 participants found that tadalafil (Cialis) significantly improved erectile function compared to placebo. The study reported improvements in various aspects of sexual function, including the ability to achieve and maintain erections, as well as overall satisfaction with sexual intercourse.
Cialis Dosage Options: Finding the Right Fit
Cialis is available in several dosage options to suit individual needs and preferences. The most common dosages are 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg.
Daily Low-Dose Cialis
For men who engage in frequent sexual activity (twice a week or more), a daily low-dose option of 2.5mg or 5mg may be recommended. This allows for spontaneous sexual activity without the need to time medication intake.
As-Needed Higher Doses
For less frequent sexual activity, higher doses of 10mg or 20mg can be taken as needed. These doses are typically taken 30 minutes to a few hours before sexual activity.
One user reported success with the 20mg dose: “57 years young. 20 mg dose. Feeling very fortunate that I had no side effects. This medication works extremely well for me. It won’t give you an erection, but it will maintain the erection. Much easier to get the erection, but it’s maintaining the erection that’s key.”
Common Side Effects of Cialis: What to Expect
While Cialis is generally well-tolerated, some users may experience side effects. It’s important to be aware of these potential effects and consult with a healthcare provider if they persist or become bothersome.
Most Common Side Effects:
- Headache
- Flushing
- Nasal congestion
- Back pain
- Muscle aches
- Indigestion
One user reported mild side effects: “I had many side effects others have. Stuffed sinus, back ache and headache but all very mild.”
It’s worth noting that side effects can vary from person to person, and many users report no significant side effects at all.
Optimizing Cialis Use: Tips for Best Results
To get the most out of Cialis, users should follow certain guidelines and best practices. Here are some tips to optimize the effectiveness of Cialis:
1. Timing of Intake
For as-needed doses, take Cialis 30 minutes to a few hours before sexual activity. For daily low doses, take the medication at the same time each day.
2. Empty Stomach vs. Full Stomach
Some users report better results when taking Cialis on an empty stomach. One user advises: “The trick is this medication MUST be taken on an empty stomach. Take it two hours before your encounter, and do not eat anything until AFTER your encounter. You can drink water.”
3. Avoid Alcohol and Grapefruit Juice
Both alcohol and grapefruit juice can interact with Cialis and potentially increase side effects or reduce effectiveness.
4. Be Patient
Some users may not experience the full effects of Cialis immediately. It may take a few doses or even a few weeks for the medication to reach its full potential.
Cialis vs. Other ED Medications: A Comparative Analysis
While Cialis is a popular choice for treating ED, it’s not the only option available. Other common ED medications include Viagra (sildenafil), Levitra (vardenafil), and Stendra (avanafil). Each of these medications has its own unique properties and potential advantages.
Cialis vs. Viagra
The main difference between Cialis and Viagra is the duration of action. Cialis can work for up to 36 hours, while Viagra typically lasts for 4-5 hours. Some users prefer Cialis for its longer-lasting effects and the ability to take a daily low dose.
One user compared Cialis favorably to Viagra: “This stuff is by far better than Viagra. It worked quicker to get an erection. I took it the night before. I was erect and more confident during the deed. I am truly amazed.”
Cialis vs. Levitra
Levitra is similar to Viagra in terms of duration (4-5 hours), but some studies suggest it may work faster and be effective at lower doses compared to Viagra. However, Cialis still offers the advantage of a much longer duration of action.
Cialis vs. Stendra
Stendra is the newest ED medication on the market. It has a rapid onset of action (as quick as 15 minutes) and may cause fewer side effects than other ED drugs. However, its duration of action (6-12 hours) is still shorter than Cialis.
Cialis for Other Conditions: Beyond Erectile Dysfunction
While primarily known for its use in treating ED, Cialis has also been approved for other conditions. Understanding these additional uses can provide a more comprehensive view of the medication’s potential benefits.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
Cialis is FDA-approved for treating symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, a condition where the prostate gland becomes enlarged, causing urinary problems. The daily low-dose option of Cialis can help improve urinary symptoms associated with BPH.
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)
In some countries, Cialis is approved for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension, a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart. The medication helps relax the blood vessels in the lungs, improving exercise capacity.
Potential Off-Label Uses
Some research suggests that Cialis may have potential benefits for other conditions, such as Raynaud’s phenomenon and certain types of altitude sickness. However, these are considered off-label uses and require further study.
Long-Term Use of Cialis: Safety and Considerations
For many men with chronic ED, long-term use of Cialis may be necessary. Understanding the safety profile and potential considerations for extended use is crucial for making informed decisions about treatment.
Safety Profile
Clinical studies have shown that long-term use of Cialis is generally safe and well-tolerated. A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine followed men taking 5mg of Cialis daily for up to 2 years and found no unexpected safety concerns.
Potential Benefits of Long-Term Use
- Consistent improvement in erectile function
- Potential for improved spontaneity in sexual activity
- Possible improvement in lower urinary tract symptoms associated with BPH
Considerations for Long-Term Use
While Cialis is generally safe for long-term use, it’s important to maintain regular check-ups with a healthcare provider. This allows for monitoring of any potential side effects or changes in overall health that may affect treatment.
Some users have reported rare but persistent side effects with long-term use. One user mentioned: “Tinnitus. Hasn’t stopped after a week. Was taking 5 mg every day or every other day.” Such cases underscore the importance of ongoing communication with a healthcare provider.
Cialis and Lifestyle Factors: Maximizing Treatment Effectiveness
While Cialis can be highly effective in treating ED, its effectiveness can be influenced by various lifestyle factors. Understanding and addressing these factors can help maximize the benefits of Cialis treatment.
Diet and Exercise
A healthy diet and regular exercise can improve overall cardiovascular health, which is closely linked to erectile function. Some users have reported better results with Cialis when combined with a healthy lifestyle.
Stress Management
Stress and anxiety can contribute to ED and potentially reduce the effectiveness of treatments like Cialis. Incorporating stress-reduction techniques such as meditation or yoga may help improve overall sexual function.
Avoiding Pornography
Some users have reported that avoiding pornography can enhance the effectiveness of Cialis. One user advised: “DO NOT watch porn for at least two weeks before your encounter. That kills your brain. Get some physical exercise, too.”
Alcohol and Substance Use
Excessive alcohol consumption and use of certain recreational drugs can interfere with erectile function and potentially reduce the effectiveness of Cialis. Moderating or avoiding these substances may improve treatment outcomes.
By considering these lifestyle factors alongside Cialis treatment, users may be able to achieve better results and overall satisfaction with their sexual health.
Effectiveness, Ease of Use, and Satisfaction
Show ratings & reviews for
4.1 Overall Rating
Share Your Experience
Effectiveness
Tooltip icon
See more
Ease of Use
Tooltip icon
See more
Satisfaction
Tooltip icon
See more
Most voted positive review
55 People found this comment helpful
For a year or so I was having erections that were either not hard enough for penetration or faded too soon. Cialis solved the problem. Really great results. Within an hour of taking a 10mg tablet I can be very hard and not have to worry about losing it. We’re enjoying extended sex again. Maybe because I’m staying very hard, my orgasms and ejaculation are much more intense.
Most voted negative review
7 People found this comment helpful
Not much effect, but lots of side-effects. Felt like having a flu. Terrible. Never will take one again.
Shared reviews and ratings
SORT BY Condition: Inability to have an Erection
Overall rating 5. 0
EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction
I was skeptical at first because a doctor had given me samples; I was disappointed because the medicine did not help me achieve an erection. I have gone years with ED and then decided to try generic Cialis once again. I took a dose and failed to get an erection; however after about two hours, I was amazed. I had one of the strongest, firmest erections I’ve ever had. The effects lasted into the next day as well. This medicine is exceptional.
1
ShapeCreated with Sketch.thumb_up copy 5Created with Sketch.Report this post
Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Other
Overall rating 4.7
EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction
Took 20mg. Very effective.
I had many side effects others have. Stuffed sinus, back ache and headache but all very mild.
1
ShapeCreated with Sketch. thumb_up copy 5Created with Sketch.Report this post
Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Other
Overall rating 5.0
EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction
57 years young. 20 mg dose. Feeling very fortunate that I had no side effects. This medication works extremely well for me. It won’t give you an erection, but it will maintain the erection. Much easier to get the erection, but it’s maintaining the erection that’s key. Very happy. It simply rolls back the clock on your younger self! Nice side benefit…due to the blood flow concept, I’m sure I am just slightly larger while flaccid during the 48 hour window. What’s not to like? I don’t think that last part is all in my head, pardon the pun. Read More Read Less
1
ShapeCreated with Sketch.thumb_up copy 5Created with Sketch.Report this post
Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Other
Overall rating 3. 3
EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction
I have used 5mg tablets twice a week…Tuesdays and Fridays to help me overcome ED issues. This dosage was recommended by my Urologist. However it has hardly helped me in overcoming the issue. Should I give it sometime or should I increase the dosage?
1
ShapeCreated with Sketch.thumb_up copy 5Created with Sketch.Report this post
Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Inability to have an Erection
Overall rating 5.0
EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction
This stuff is by far better than Viagra. It worked quicker to get an erection. I took it the night be before.I was erect and more confident during the deed. I am truly amazed. I do have a slight headache but that could be due to allergies
1
ShapeCreated with Sketch.thumb_up copy 5Created with Sketch.Report this post
Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Inability to have an Erection
Overall rating 4.3
EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction
The trick is this medication MUST be taken on an empty stomach. Take it two hours before your encounter, and do not eat anything until AFTER your encounter. You can drink water. For example for me, I have a hearty breakfast with no red meats. Then do not eat anything in the afternoon when I get hungry. The sex is more important to me since I can always eat and drink after the encounter. DO NOT watch porn for at least two weeks before your encounter. That kills your brain. Get some physical exercise, too. This medication doesn’t work because it must be taken on an empty stomach. I know people who complained and when I told them to take it on an empty stomach, their opinion changed. My friend, I wish you the best.Read More Read Less
ShapeCreated with Sketch. 1
thumb_up copy 5Created with Sketch. Report this post
Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Enlarged Prostate with Urination Problems
Overall rating 3.0
EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction
Tinnitus. Hasn’t stopped after a week. Was taking 5 mg every day or every other day. Was taking Bactrim for prostate infection at the same time. Had taken Levaquin 6 weeks earlier.
ShapeCreated with Sketch.thumb_up copy 5Created with Sketch.Report this post
Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Inability to have an Erection
Overall rating 5.0
EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction
I began taking Cialis 2.5mg on an as needed basis at age 72. It worked quite well until it didn’t. I upped the dosage to 5mg and it worked quite well until it didn’t. Now, at 76 I take 10mg as needed and it works quite well. I find that after taking a dose and having sex the recover time for an erection is an hour or so. Also, the quality of my morning erections is much better for 3-4 days after a dose. Cialis has improved my relationship with my lady friend. She loves that we aren’t just companions but intimate sexual partnersRead More Read Less
ShapeCreated with Sketch. 1
thumb_up copy 5Created with Sketch.Report this post
Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Inability to have an Erection
Overall rating 5.0
EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction
It was wonderful and I highly recommend it. Finally my husband was solid and lasted hours.. haven’t felt raw in a while
1
ShapeCreated with Sketch.thumb_up copy 5Created with Sketch.Report this post
Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Inability to have an Erection
Overall rating 4. 3
EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction
I don’t have any problem obtaining an erection; however, my problem was sustaining it. Once I got hard, I had to get straight to business or within a few minutes it would deflate. If it wasn’t all over in roughly ten minutes, it was finished anyway because my junk was useless; which wasn’t fair on my partners. I had a consultation with an online Doctor who prescribed 10mg as needed; however I went against my Doctor’s advice and took 2.5mg daily (which I was later informed was fine as the drug may need to be adjusted to suit your tolerance and your sexual activity). I wanted my body to get use to the medications first. I have continued to take 2.5mg daily and if I know I may have a sexual encounter, I take 5mg. No side effects what-so-ever on this dose; however I went to an orgy one night so took 10mg and experienced some facial flushing and felt hot; which didn’t bother me. End result; 2. 5mg daily and 5mg for sexual encounters works well for me; however now I have the opposite problem it takes me some time to ejaculate…well it’s not really a problem, however if I want a quickie, it can take some time to blow. Still, fair trade off and it actually works in my favour most of the time. Bottom line; we all react differently to medication so you may have to play around with the dose until you find what best works for you, under medical advice of course.Read More Read Less
ShapeCreated with Sketch. 1
thumb_up copy 5Created with Sketch.Report this post
Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Other
Overall rating 5.0
EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction
I didn’t tell my wife I got the prescription. I was able to achieve an erection all the time, it just was not like it used to be, and it would go down immediately after I ejaculated. First dose 2 hours later, during foreplay she said “WTF” and looked up at me. She said “what did u do!?” If thats not a confidence booster, I don’t know what is!
1
ShapeCreated with Sketch.thumb_up copy 5Created with Sketch.Report this post
Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Inability to have an Erection
Overall rating 5.0
EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction
I was prescribed 20mg cialis daily as needed. The results are terrific. I have my confidence back. Just a few seconds is all it takes to get full blooded boners for almost 36 hours. The head of my penis gets very big and very sensitive.
1
ShapeCreated with Sketch.thumb_up copy 5Created with Sketch.Report this post
Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Inability to have an Erection
Overall rating 5.0
EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction
This is an excellent medication for ED. I have a prescription for 20 mg as needed. The medication works best for me if I take 10 mg two days in a row and then the full 20 mg tablet when I plan to have sex. If I just take the 20 mg with out the 10 mg doses preceding, results are much less reliable.
Following this regimen I get rock hard erections when stimulated and wake up with erections during the night. now I am able to have multiple erections during a single lovemaking session which makes my wife a happy woman. No side effects. The effect lasts a full 48 hours. Read More Read Less
1
ShapeCreated with Sketch.thumb_up copy 5Created with Sketch.Report this post
Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Inability to have an Erection
Overall rating 5.0
EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction
I am a 52-year-old male who was having ED problems due to taking prescription opioids. I am permanently and totally disabled through the Veterans Administration. I was having difficulty getting and maintaining an erection and went and had my testosterone checked. It was on the floor. I started testosterone therapy but was still having issues maintaining an erection. The VA prescribed me Viagra which only worked about half the time and gave me a terrible headache every time. They were stingy and did not want to provide Cialis so I went online and got a prescription. This medication has worked perfectly for me. I take 5 mg daily and I now get rock hard erections and I am able to maintain an erection with ease. Suffered no side effects whatsoever. Cialis gave me my sex life back. It’s now better than ever, to be frank I feel like a teenager sometimes when I’m having sex. I highly recommend. Read More Read Less
ShapeCreated with Sketch. 1
thumb_up copy 5Created with Sketch.Report this post
Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Other
Overall rating 5.0
EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction
I take medication for Bipolar Disorder, and the Cialis 5mg tablets that I take restored my sex life back to normal with women. My insurance doesn’t cover it but it’s worth the money.
1
ShapeCreated with Sketch.thumb_up copy 5Created with Sketch.Report this post
Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Inability to have an Erection
Overall rating 5.0
EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction
I wanted to share my experience to help other guys who are going through what I was going through. My wife and I hadn’t been intimate for years. I was in a deep depression, and the times before when we tried to have sex, it was hit and miss. It started to become a self fullfilling prophecy. The more I focused on getting an erection, the more nervous I got, and as a result, I could’nt perform. Last week I put an end to all that. I ordered cialis daily 2.5. I wanted to take it daily so I would’nt have to plan it out. Guys I started taking the cialis daily and a miracle happened. I got my confidence back! My wife and I have had the best sex we’ve ever had for the last 2 nights! Thank God for this drug!!!! My wife and I are getting along better, loving each other more, and most importantly I got my manhood back. If anyone out there is going through issues with ED, please try this medicene! You dont have to suffer anymore. Let us guys help each other! From one guy to another this stuff will help you make love to your woman in ways you never dreamed possible. Side effects were so minimal they’re not even worth mentioning. Take cialis and go get her!!!!Read More Read Less
ShapeCreated with Sketch. 1
thumb_up copy 5Created with Sketch.Report this post
Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Other
Overall rating 3.7
EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction
Gave me really bed tinnitus (ringing in ears) all the time I took 5mg. dose daily. Once I stopped taking it, ringing went away after about 2-4 days. Also had elevated serum PSA levels while taking. Stopped 2 weeks prior to blood work and PSA level down. Not too sure if caused by Cialis or not. Took brand name. A little flushing, stuffiness and mild headache while taking. Erections are firm and able to perform without issue actually made me more aroused while taking. Woke up to erections during the night.Read More Read Less
1
ShapeCreated with Sketch.thumb_up copy 5Created with Sketch.Report this post
Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Inability to have an Erection
Overall rating 4.3
EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction
Kept me semi hard ALL day and moderately hard with activity. Orgasms seemed more intense.
1
ShapeCreated with Sketch.thumb_up copy 5Created with Sketch.Report this post
Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Inability to have an Erection
Overall rating 5.0
EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction
No side effects. Firm erections within 45 minutes after taking 20 mg pill. Completely satisfied with the results.
1
ShapeCreated with Sketch.thumb_up copy 5Created with Sketch.Report this post
Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Enlarged Prostate with Urination Problems
Overall rating 5.0
EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction
Started being able to completely clear my bladder with this medication. Nice to not have to “go back” shortly after the first trip.
1
ShapeCreated with Sketch.thumb_up copy 5Created with Sketch.Report this post
Fill 3Created with Sketch.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT USER-GENERATED CONTENT ON WEBMD
The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions.
Read More
Cialis User Reviews for Erectile Dysfunction
Save
Cialis
has an average rating of 8.6 out of 10 from a total of 416 reviews
for the
treatment of Erectile Dysfunction.
84% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 9% reported a negative experience.
Filter by condition
All conditionsBenign Prostatic Hyperplasia (83)Erectile Dysfunction (453)
Cialis rating summary
8.6/10 average rating
416 ratings from 453 user reviews.
Compare all 12 medications used in the treatment of Erectile Dysfunction.
10 | 58% | |
---|---|---|
9 | 18% | |
8 | 8% | |
7 | 2% | |
6 | 2% | |
5 | 2% | |
4 | 1% | |
3 | 1% | |
2 | 1% | |
1 | 6% |
Reviews for Cialis
Search keyword
Frequently asked questions
- Cialis vs Viagra – What’s the difference between them?
- Why does Cialis take at least 12-14 hours to work?
- Cialis – 40mg for extreme ED?
- Is taking Cialis 40 mg daily safe?
Are you taking this medicine?
- Add your review
- Learn more about Cialis
More FAQ
- Cialis: 7 Important Things to Know
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.
Learn more about Erectile Dysfunction
- Erectile Dysfunction Medications and Alcohol Interactions
Care guides
- Erectile Dysfunction
Symptoms and treatments
- Impotence (Erectile Dysfunction)
Medicine.com guides (external)
- Erectile Dysfunction Guide
More about Cialis (tadalafil)
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (544)
- Drug images
- Latest FDA alerts (8)
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- Patient tips
- During pregnancy
- Generic availability
- Support group
- FDA approval history
- Drug class: impotence agents
- Breastfeeding
- En español
Patient resources
- Drug Information
- Cialis (Advanced Reading)
Other brands
Adcirca, Alyq
Professional resources
- Prescribing Information
Related treatment guides
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
- Erectile Dysfunction
Parasite (Parasite) – Marvel Heroes (Marvel) and DC Comics
Hero characteristics
- Real name: Rudolph “Rudy” Jones (Rudolph “Rudy” Jones)
- Nicknames: Troval Freeman, Doc Parasite
- Current Nickname: Parasite
- Universe: New Earth
- Gender: Male
- Position: Evil
- Eye Color: Brown (before transformation), white or absent (after transformation)
- Hair Color: Brown (before transformation), none (after transformation)
- Group Affiliation: S. T.A.R. Laboratories (S.T.A.R. Labs), Suicide Squad, Superman Revenge Squad, Secret Society of Super-Villains
- Friends: None, except for colleagues in various organizations
- Enemies: Superman, Firestorm, Supergirl, Strange Visitor, Justice League of America, Suicide Squad
- Date of Birth: Unknown
- Birthplace: Metropolis
- Citizenship: USA
- Marital status: Single
Beginning
Parasite owes its appearance to Darksied himself, the Ruler of Apokolips: Darkseid remembered that before the Crisis on Infinite Earths, which completely rewrote the chronology of the DC Universe and united all the numerous alternative Earths In one New Earth (New Earth), on Earth-One (Earth-1) there was a supervillain Maxwell Jensen, nicknamed Parasite, who disappeared from the chronology after the Crisis, and decided to create a new version of him. To do this, he telepathically inspired the laborer Rudy Jones, who worked as a janitor in the S. T.A.R. (S.T.A.R. Labs) in Pittsburgh that there will be something of value in a radioactive waste container. Under the influence of Darkseid, Rudy opened this container and, due to the radiation emanating from it, mutated into a bald, green-skinned creature, capable of draining other creatures of their life energy; and now the absorption of other people’s energy became vital for Jones: his own body could no longer store energy for long enough, and therefore he needed regular recharge. Realizing that he was unlikely to return to ordinary life, Rudy decided instead to take the nickname “Parasite” and go into supervillains. How successful he was in his new career is not exactly known, but one way or another he was arrested, went to prison and joined the Suicide Squad, a team of supervillains who carry out the most risky assignments of the US government in exchange for a full amnesty.
Suicide Squad and Firestorm
At that time, Professor Martin Stein, one of the two people who made up the Firestorm Matrix, found out that he was dying and decided to rid the world of nuclear weapons. This was at odds with
interests of many states and especially the United States, so their government decided to send the Suicide Squad, including the Parasite, to neutralize Stine. Complications arose during the mission: Arriving in New York City’s Times Square, where Stine, in his Firestorm form, was holding a press conference, the Squad encountered the Justice League of America, who had also arrived there to neutralize Storm. A fight ensued between the two teams, during which the Parasite, who was taken on this mission despite the active protests of the field commander of the team Rick Flag Jr. (Rick Flag Jr.) and its creator Amanda Waller (Amanda Waller), went out of control and almost killed his teammate, Multiplex, trying to suck all the life energy out of him. Having absorbed some of the energy of the Multiplex, and at the same time his abilities (creating doubles, super strength, flight), Rudy began to destroy everything around, but the League and the Squad were able to calm him down by joining forces. Subsequently, Parasite tried to single-handedly attack Firestorm, but the hero easily neutralized him, leaving him in a state close to death.
After that, Rudy was sent to Belle Reve, a special prison for super criminals. There, scientists tried to cure him of the mutations he had suffered, but they could only change the color of his skin from green to purple and increase his absorbing abilities: now Jones could satisfy his hunger not only with the help of someone else’s life energy, but also with the help of other types of energy such as fire and electricity.
The first meeting with Superman and a new mutation
A few years later, the first meeting of the Parasite with Superman took place. Then Rudy was part of a plan to save Superman from a glut of solar energy. To do this, he joined the hero in battle on the moon; during the fight, Superman inadvertently attacked Jones with an incredibly powerful volley of his heat vision, which caused Rudy to mutate again: he greatly increased in size and muscle mass many times over, and his mouth was now more like the mouth of a leech. His abilities were also enhanced: he could now absorb the kinetic energy of fast-moving objects such as bullets and drink other people’s life energy through telepathic contact, which he demonstrated when he was attacked by the telepath Dubbelix. However, his new form also had its downsides: now, in order to survive, he needed to absorb significantly more energy than before.
Troval Freeman, new meetings with Superman and another mutation
Once, while in prison, Rudy tried to drink energy from Troval Freeman, an African-American scientist who regularly visited him. This gave an unexpected result: Jones literally “absorbed” the scientist into his body, while retaining his mind and personality in his own brain. Now, in addition to his abilities, the Parasite also received Freeman’s scientific knowledge, which made him an even more dangerous opponent than before.
The impressive strength of the Parasite was appreciated by the media mogul and the head of the criminal organization Intergang, Morgan Edge, who recruited Rudy into his Superman Revenge Squad. However, this didn’t really change anything: every fight between Parasite and Superman invariably ended in a crushing defeat for Jones. And one incident almost cost Rudy his life: when Superman gained the ability to control electricity for a while, the Parasite attacked him to see if he could get any benefit from his new powers, but the hero, who had not yet really learned to control his newfound abilities, nearly killed Rudy by draining him of most of the energy he had previously absorbed. Some time later, after recovering from this fight, Jones attempted to lure Superman into a duel, but instead faced his cousin, Supergirl, and was again defeated.
At some point, the Parasite encountered a superhero named the Strange Visitor, who possessed a large set of superpowers of an electromagnetic nature. He lost this fight, but during the battle he was able to absorb a small part of the energy of his rival and thanks to this he mutated again. Now, when absorbing someone’s energy, he absorbed the mind of the victim, and could also keep the absorbed energy longer, for a period of about 24 hours. Soon he “absorbed” an unknown shapeshifter (shapeshifter, that is, a superman who changes appearance) in the same way as Dr. Freeman once did, and thanks to this he learned to copy any creature he touched at the genetic level: he could copy it voice, appearance, superpowers and so on.
Revenge on Superman and imaginary death
Having escaped from the S.T.A.R. in the early noughties, Parasite began plotting his revenge on Superman. He began following Superman’s girlfriend, reporter Lois Lane, and his best friend, photographer Jimmy Olsen, hoping to get to Superman’s closest associates. One day, reincarnated as one of his previous victims, a helpless old man, Rudy tried to blend in with the crowd, but fell to the ground from someone’s awkward push. Before he could get up on his own, Lois Lane herself came to his aid. Not recognizing the older man as a dangerous supervillain, Lois offered him her hand without hesitation. That touch was enough for the Parasite to fully read the entire memory of the journalist, and what he saw struck him: he did not suspect that his greatest enemy was leading a double life as a modest reporter Clark Kent, nor did he suspect how close Lois really was to him. . A new plan immediately formed in his head: he decided to kidnap Lois, take her place, and break Superman’s heart by making him believe that his lover really despises him deeply.
Perhaps this plan would have worked if Rudy had not been brought to white-hot by Superman’s constant attempts to talk heart to heart with “her” and re-establish relationships. Finally, Jones finally lost his temper, which was completely unusual for the real Lois Lane, copied the powers of his enemy with a touch and with one powerful blow threw him out of Lois’s apartment, where they were at that moment. A fight ensued between the two, but in the end Superman won and forced Parasite to show his true colors. This, it must be said, was not difficult: despite the fact that the “voice of logic” in the face of Troval Freeman told Rudy that it was not worth leaving the appearance of Lane, Jones did it anyway, because he could not come to terms with the idea that Superman could kill someone other than him. After that, Jones attacked Superman with renewed vigor, but when Rudy had already thrown his opponent to the ground and was ready to deliver a decisive blow to him, he suddenly became very ill: as it turned out, along with Superman’s abilities, he absorbed the Kryptont poisoning he received under unknown circumstances . Seeing that Rudy was dying, Superman tried to find out from him where Lois was, but Jones only managed to say that she was still alive, after which he died from poisoning. Superman began an active search, and soon discovered Lois, alive and relatively unharmed, in a cave that the Parasite had once used as a hideout.
Meanwhile, Superman’s main enemy, the head of the international diversified corporation “Lexcorp” (Lexcorp) Lex Luthor (Lex Luthor), whom the Parasite, disguised as Lois Lane, tried to seduce ( don’t ask here, I myself am “slightly” bewildered from this; – translator’s note ), found out about his machinations and, furious, went to great lengths to get the remains of Jones.
Return
A few years later, the Parasite reappeared, this time in the town of St. Roch in Louisiana (St. Roch, Louisiana). Here, for a moderate fee, he temporarily “turned off” the superpowers of other villains, which helped them hide from law enforcement agencies. It is not known exactly how he survived the lethal Kryptonite poisoning years ago, but there have been instances of him recovering from equally serious injuries, so it is possible that he was simply cured of it. It is also unknown how he managed to escape from imprisonment in the Lexcorp; however, much speaks in favor of the fact that this Parasite was not Rudy Jones at all: he did not have “brands
toothy mouth, he was much more eloquent than Jones (this, however, could well be attributed to the fact that Troval Freeman was the dominant personality at that moment), and his costume looked more like the costume of Pre-Crisis Maxwell Jensen than his own. In fact, the only thing left intact is his massive physique. Later, Parasite was also seen among Superman’s Top 10 Most Wanted, and later as a member of the Injustice League. but it is not known whether this Parasite and the Saint-Roch Parasite are the same person; however, this Parasite is known to be Rudy Jones, resurrected by Lex Luthor. Later, Jones was seen in the ranks of the Secret Society of Super-Villains supervillain Libra.
After the Infinite Crisis
After the Infinite Crisis, the origin story of the Parasite was rewritten again:
Fat man Rudy Jones lived in Metropolis before Superman arrived in the city and worked as a janitor for the local newspaper, the Daily Planet, until he became the winner of the so-called. “LexCorp Lottery” (LexCorp Lottery), under the terms of which the head of LexCorp, Lex Luthor, helped any randomly selected person from the crowd to start a new life. Unfortunately, when Rudy escaped his due medical exam to eat donuts, he was positioned next to a leaking container of radioactive waste, one of his donuts became soaked in the purple goo leaking from the container, and Jones, swallowing it, turned into a parasite creature with purple skin . After that, he started a mayhem in Metropolis, was stopped by Superman and placed in a cell in the Lexcorp building. Its further history, presumably, for the most part coincided with the pre-crisis one.
New Krypton
During the events of New Krypton, the Parasite, like many of Superman’s other enemies, was sent to the Phantom Zone by the Kryptonians who escaped from Kandor. Superman pulled him out of there to take him to a regular prison, but Rudy managed to escape.
Parasite in Smallville
Some time later, the Parasite wandered into the small farming town of Smallville, Superman’s home. Jones decided to “eat up” and attacked Superboy Conner Kent, who at that moment was sitting in a cafe and discussing his superhero activities with his friend, Simon Valentine. Conner, of course, fought back, and a fight broke out between them, during which Parasite managed to greatly weaken Superboy. Realizing that he could not compete with an opponent of the Parasite level, Conner used a “strategy of war”: he kicked Rudy right into a huge cornfield nearby, using telekinesis, collected all the grains from him into one huge pile and brought them down on Jones, knocking him out. . Immediately afterwards, Smallville was attacked by living plants controlled by Poison Ivy, who asked Conner for help with a case. He agreed, and as he flew away, he left the unconscious Parasite and Simon in the care of his pet, Superdog Krypto. At the first opportunity, Simon took a blood sample from the Parasite for research, and when Poison Ivy took Superboy hostage, he injected this blood into several frogs, thereby giving them almost the same powers as the Parasite, and set them on the villain, depriving her strength.
Post-Flashpoint
So far, Parasite has only made a glimpse of Prime Earth’s appearance in the Crime Sindicate’s mob of villains, but he should soon make a larger appearance.
Rudy Jones was neither the first nor the last supervillain to bear the moniker “Parasite”. In addition to him, the following characters bore this nickname:
Maxvell Jensen, Earth-One
Maxwell Jensen had money problems until he managed to get a job at a research center. One day, Jensen thought that all the center’s money was stored in waste containers, and decided to search them. Unfortunately, in the first container he came across there were real radioactive waste, which Superman himself had delivered to this center shortly before, and because of them, Maxwell mutated into a parasite creature with purple skin and, calling himself Parasite, went into supervillains. Now, every time he touched someone, he instantly absorbed their physical and mental abilities; if he touched Superman, he received a large portion of his superpowers (Jensen’s body could not absorb all his strength). During their first encounter, Superman outmaneuvered the Parasite, causing him to absorb too much energy and explode; however, Maxwell soon made a full recovery. New abilities brought grief not only to those around him, but also to Jensen himself: because of them, he could no longer touch his wife and children. Parasite regularly attacked Superman, but could not completely defeat him, always failed and went to prison. Thanks to his abilities, Jensen was able to copy the remarkable intelligence of Superman and with his help he built more and more sophisticated plans against his enemy: for example, he once managed to resurrect the powerful zombie supervillain Solomon Grundy, strengthen him and direct him to fight Superman ; on another occasion, he was able to temporarily transfer the powers of the young superhero Air Wave into his rival, Davy Jones. After the Crisis on Infinite Earths, Maxwell Jensen was completely erased from the chronology, and Rudy Jones took his place.
Alex and Alexandra Alliston
Teenage twins Alex and Alexandra were turned into two Parasites by the supervillain Ruin’s experiments. Ruina promised them that now they would be able to take revenge on all those who did not let them live in peace, but first they had to deal with Superman. During their first meeting, they almost killed the hero, but the next time he prepared well for the fight and was able to defeat the twins. The Elstons went to prison, from where they soon tried to escape. During the escape, Alex died at the hands of one of the OMACs (OMACs) – cyborgs specially created to hunt supervillains, while Alexandra escaped and joined Lex Luthor’s Secret Society of Supervillains.
Strengths
Unique Physiology: all Parasites are distinguished by their unique physiology, which gives them the following abilities:
- Energy Vampirism: This ability is the hallmark of any Parasite. It allows them to drain other living beings of their life energy, leaving them with only completely withered bodies. They can also use this ability to feed on other kinds of energy, such as fire, electricity, or the kinetic energy of fast-moving objects. By absorbing energy, they increase their physical characteristics and/or satisfy the energy hunger that is constantly gnawing at them. The absorption of a very large amount of energy leads to various consequences: Maxwell Jensen’s body temporarily collapsed due to an excess of energy, and Rudy, having absorbed a large amount of energy, mutated, which made him much stronger.
- Copying DNA: “Absorbing” an unknown shapeshifter, Rudy Jones learned to copy the structure of someone else’s DNA with a simple touch. Thanks to this, he could transform into an exact copy of his victim, which, even with careful examination, was impossible to distinguish from the original. Also, thanks to this ability, Rudy could copy other people’s superpowers, which he clearly demonstrated using Superman as an example. However, to maintain the disguise, Jones had to be in contact with his victim every twenty-four hours.
- Superhuman Strength : In their normal state, all Parasites generally have normal levels of physical strength for their height and build, but by absorbing energy, they are able to increase their strength to superhuman levels.
- Superhuman Vitality: any of the Parasites are durable enough to survive injuries fatal to most living beings: Maxwell Jensen fully recovered from the complete disintegration of his body, and Rudy Jones once recovered from being completely burned down to the skeleton. In addition, Rudy has repeatedly demonstrated that he can safely be in an airless environment, such as on the moon or in outer space.
- Superhuman Agility: In their normal state, any of the Parasites have the usual level of agility for their height and physique, but by absorbing energy, they are able to raise it to a superhuman level.
- Superhuman Stamina: In their normal state, any of the Parasites have a normal level of stamina for their height and physique, but by absorbing energy, they are able to raise it to superhuman levels.
- Genius IQ (Maxwell Jensen): Each time Maxwell Jensen consumed someone’s life energy, his IQ increased as well, so that his intelligence eventually reached genius level.
Abilities
Scientific knowledge: Troval Freeman was a scientist before merging with Parasite, so he often advises Rudy Jones on matters related to science.
Weaknesses
Energy hunger: If the Parasite does not feed on energy for a long time, it can become very weak and even die.
Weakness Copy: Along with the powers of the opponents, the Parasite can absorb their weaknesses, such as Superman’s vulnerability to Kryptonite.
Mental instability : this weakness is mainly found in Rudy Jones; because of her, he sometimes loses control over himself and commits rash acts.
Earth-22 (Kingdom Come)
In the not too distant future, when most of the “traditional” superheroes have retired and merciless anti-heroes have taken their place, Parasite continued his criminal activities until he was overtaken in Kansas by a team of “new generation heroes”, the Justice Battalion (Justice Battalion). Knowing what fate awaited him, the Parasite immediately begged for mercy, but
his prayers were not heard. Then, in desperation, he pounced on Captain Atom (Captain Atom) and tore his armor. Because of this, the quantum energy contained within the Atom burst out and completely wiped Kansas from the face of the Earth, killing both the Parasite and most of the Battalion. The only survivors of this disaster were Captain Atom and crew members Magog and Alloy.
All-Star Superman
Parasite was one of the many criminals who did time in prison on Stryker’s Island. When Clark Kent and Lex Luthor passed by his cell, he absorbed enough solar energy emitted by Clark from a distance ( At that moment, Clark Kent, aka Superman, absorbed too much solar energy due to Luthor’s machinations and due to died for this; – approx. translator ) to mutate into a huge monster, escaped from the cage and rushed in pursuit of Kent and Luthor. He pursued them through the entire prison, while Clark tried his best to stop him without giving away his secret identity. Kent eventually managed to neutralize the Parasite by causing a small earthquake and burying it under the rubble.
Earth-12 (DC Animated Universe)
rudy jones ra
worked as a janitor at the S.T.A.R. Laboratories Research Institute in Metropolis until an old friend, Martin Lebau, offered to make some money by stealing some experimental chemicals from the lab. The case went more or less successfully, and, despite a skirmish with the guards, the accomplices managed to take away the stolen goods in their pickup truck. However, soon the wheel of their car hit a stone, and the barrel of chemicals in the back of the truck opened and its contents splashed Rudy, who was sitting next to him. In horror, he fell out of the car and lost consciousness, and woke up with a new creature – the Parasite. After that, he immediately went to take revenge on his former accomplice, but ran into Superman, was defeated and went to prison. After that, he fought Superman many more times, both alone and teaming up with other villains, such as LiveWire.
After some time, he joined the Secret Society of Super Villains assembled by Gorilla Grodd, but along with all the other members was defeated and sent to prison. Later, he joined the Legion of Doom created by Grodd. When Lex Luthor tried to get rid of Grodd and personally lead the Legion, the group split into two hostile camps, and the Parasite sided with Grodd. Jones was one of the few survivors of the final battle between the two camps, but was eventually frozen to death by Killer Frost. He died when accidentally revived by Luthor
Darkseid blew up the Legion’s base.
Another Parasite has been spotted in the future; he partnered with Inque, Shriek and Stalker and was easily defeated by Batman Beyond and the Justice League Beyond. It is unknown if there is any connection between him and Rudy Jones.
Young Justice
Here, the Parasite disguised itself as an ordinary human infiltrated Haly’s Circus, Dick Grayson’s “home” circus, and during a tour of Europe robbed several science centers in order to obtain the components needed to build the Black Hole Generator commissioned by Intergang. The Young Justice team was brought in to investigate these robberies, and managed to track down Parasite, defeat him, and arrest him.
Earth-30 (Red Son)
Parasite was one of the many supervillains that Dr. Lex Luthor created to fight the great Soviet hero, Superman. Along with other offspring of Luthor, he was defeated in a battle with Comrade of Steel (Comrade of Steel), and his statue replenished the Moscow Superman Museum (Superman Museum). Later, he, along with all the other supervillains, fought Superman in Washington and was again defeated.
Earth-40 (Liberty Files)
Here Parasite is a former KGB agent, assassin and enemy of the Justice Society of America. He was paired with the Russian supervillain Steel Wolf (Stalnoivolk) and was killed by Superman (who in this universe was Zod)
Justice
In this Elseworld, Parasite (Maxwell Jensen) was a member of the Lethal Legion. Along with three other “legionnaires” – Superman’s enemies Bizarro, Metallo (Metallo) and Solomon Grundy, he attacked the Man of Steel, but was defeated by Captain Marvel who came to the rescue. Later, he participated in a big battle between the Justice League and the Lethal Legion and was knocked out by a lightning bolt summoned by Black Adam.
Parasite is one of the ten most dangerous enemies of Superman, along with Lex Luthor, Brainiac (Brainiac), Metallo (Metallo), Doomsday (Doomsday), Bizarro, Toymen (Toyman) and criminals from the Phantom Zone.
Firestorm vol.2 #58 (April 1987)
How do vitamin D and calcium work together?
Disclaimer
If you have any medical questions or concerns, please contact your physician. Articles in the Health Guide are based on peer-reviewed research and information from medical societies and government agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
how to keep my penis hard
Vitamin D and calcium are closely related in your body. Without vitamin D, it is difficult for calcium to do its job of keeping bones healthy.
Getting enough vitamin D is important because it works hand in hand with calcium to keep your muscles, heart and hormones working well. If you are low in calcium, you may need to increase your calcium and vitamin D intake to improve your health. Read on to learn more about how to get enough of these two essential micronutrients.
Vitals
- Vitamin D and calcium work together to improve bone health.
- Vitamin D improves your body’s ability to absorb calcium.
- If you are calcium deficient, you may need to increase your calcium and vitamin D intake.
How does vitamin D affect calcium?
Because vitamin D and calcium work closely together in your body, getting enough of these important nutrients can affect your bone health, especially in the long term.
Vitamin D is essential for calcium to enter the bloodstream, so vitamin D deficiency can also lead to calcium deficiency (Ross, 2011). Vitamin D also helps the intestines and kidneys absorb calcium. To avoid deficiency, make sure you eat foods that contain vitamin D and calcium. Adults should get 1000-1300 mg of calcium daily from food, but overeating milk is not a magic bullet.
If you have a chronic condition that affects your ability to absorb nutrients, supplements may be a good option for you. If your healthcare provider prescribes a vitamin D calcium supplement, it’s usually because the two nutrients work best when combined.
Advertisement
Roman Daily – Men’s Multivitamin
Our team of in-house doctors created Roman Daily to address common nutritional deficiencies in men with science-based ingredients and dosages.
Learn more
Do you need vitamin D for calcium absorption?
Without vitamin D, calcium cannot function properly in your body. A common misconception about bones is that they remain the same throughout adulthood, but this is not true.
Bones constantly secrete minerals and then regenerate. Calcium plays a key role in building a strong structure for your bones; without it, they would be soft and not the durable constructions you use for everyday movement. Getting enough calcium is important, but for bone health, it’s best to consider how much vitamin D you’re also getting.
Who is most susceptible to calcium deficiency?
If you have been diagnosed with a calcium deficiency, you are not alone. Low calcium levels are common, especially in parts of the world where people consume less dairy, such as East Asia (Balk, 2017).
But even if you eat a lot of calcium, it can still be low. Most people at risk of low calcium include (Beto, 2015):
- Those with lactose intolerance
- Postmenopausal women
- Women without menstruation
- Athletes
Level female hormones can also affect bone health. Women who do not have periods or who have stopped menstruating due to menopause have a harder time maintaining stable calcium levels. This is because estrogen helps the body absorb calcium, and postmenopausal women or women who are not menstruating have lower levels of estrogen (Sullivan, 2017).
Athletes may experience imbalances between their exercise and nutritional habits, which may contribute to low calcium levels as well (Goolsby, 2017).
When people are intolerant of dairy products, finding good sources of dietary calcium can be more difficult and can lead to deficiency. Many of the best sources of calcium are dairy products, but fortunately, there are other nutritional options to consider as well.
Calcium deficiency symptoms
Symptoms of low calcium levels may not be noticeable, and you may be deficient for a while before you notice anything unusual.
As you age, you are at increased risk of osteoporosis, a condition that affects bone strength and is associated with low calcium. As this condition progresses, you may notice a loss of height or an increase in weakness.
People with osteoporosis often fall and also have an increased risk of fractures (Sozen, 2017). Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of developing this condition as well as fractures – often the first sign is that the bones become more brittle.
Vitamin D deficiency can also cause low calcium since your body cannot properly use calcium without vitamin D (Goyal, 2020).
atorvastatin is generic, which drug
Why it’s important to get enough vitamin D
We’ve seen why it’s important to get enough calcium, now let’s talk about vitamin D.
By increasing your body’s ability to retain calcium, vitamin D increases your body’s calcium levels. But that’s not all vitamin D does. Nicknamed the sunshine vitamin, vitamin S also plays an important role in keeping your skin, immune system, and heart healthy (Khammissa, 2018).
Vitamin D not only helps your body absorb calcium, but also has multiple roles in your brain (Bivona, 2019). It helps your brain develop and protects neurons from damage, and there is even some evidence that vitamin D supplementation may reduce the risk of dying from cancer (Zhang, 2019).
Who is most at risk for vitamin D deficiency?
Studies show that about two in five Americans don’t get enough vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency is also more common in blacks, and in people with diabetes, obesity, and cigarette smoking.
Since dairy milk is often fortified with vitamin D, those who do not drink it may not be getting enough vitamin D from their diet. As with calcium deficiency, the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency may not be all that bad initially, so you won’t be able to tell if you have it (Parva, 2018).
Where you live matters a lot when it comes to vitamin D. Researchers have found that if you live north of an imaginary east-west line across Louisiana, you are more likely to become deficient in vitamin D. During the winter, low temperatures keep people indoors. Add a decrease in daytime sunlight and it becomes difficult to absorb enough vitamin D from the sun (Holick, 2011).
See which other groups are at risk for vitamin D deficiency (Ghani, 2015):
- The elderly
- Those with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30
- People who have undergone gastric bypass surgery
9000 5 To those who lives with Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis, or liver disease.
Vitamin D deficiency symptoms
Many of the signs and symptoms of vitamin D deficiency are related to bone health. Vitamin D deficiency can cause development in both children and adults. osteomalacia, which is a softening of the bones (Moorshed, 2018). If your bones are unstable and unstable, this can put you at risk for pain and fractures.
The most common symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include bone pain, fatigue, muscle and joint pain (Sizar, 2020). As you can see, the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency and calcium deficiency parallel each other because they are closely related in the body.
While adults with vitamin D deficiency may experience unpleasant symptoms, children who lack vitamin D can develop a condition called rickets. Rickets affects bone growth, leading to pain and abnormal bone growth that can be permanent. Children with this condition are also at a higher risk of fractures (Munns, 2016).
A blood test can help determine if your body is deficient in vitamin D or calcium (Pils, 2019). If you’ve been diagnosed with a calcium or vitamin D deficiency, you can boost your levels through diet, supplements, or a combination of the two.
You can technically get your vitamin D from the sun, but it’s best to get it from your diet for several reasons. First, the type of light the sun emits can damage your skin and increase your risk of skin cancer (Watson, 2016). In addition, many people live in parts of the country where sunlight is scarce during the winter months, making it an unreliable source of vitamin D.
What is the best way to get enough vitamin D and calcium?
If there is not enough sunlight, you can switch to foods rich in vitamin D to get your daily requirement.
Vitamin D is naturally found in fewer foods than other micronutrients, but is fortified in dairy products such as milk. Recent studies have also shown benefits in strong bread with vitamin D (Nikooyeh, 2016). Some foods high in vitamin D include (NIH, 2020): 9Mushrooms – a great option for increasing the amount of vitamin D in your diet. And don’t forget calcium.
Calcium is found in many dairy products, some fruits and soy products. Increase your dietary calcium by eating more of the following foods (NIH, 2020):
- Low fat yogurt
- orange juice
- Low fat mozzarella
- Sardines
- Cheddar cheese
- Low calorie milk
- Soy milk
- Tofu
How well your body can absorb vitamin D and calcium is also an important part puzzles.
Many factors that affect bioavailability, or how easily your body can absorb nutrients from food or supplements.
Recent surgery, digestive problems, and kidney or liver problems can make it difficult to get enough vitamin D or calcium (Pressman, 2017). If you can’t get enough calcium and vitamin D from food alone, your doctor may recommend that you take supplements.
How much vitamin D and calcium do you need each day?
For people without deficiencies, the recommended daily amount of vitamin D is 400 to 1000 IU. This range helps most people maintain adequate levels in the body (Cashman, 2017).
When it comes to calcium, the average is 1,000 to 1,300 mg of calcium daily for most (Ross, 2011). The exact amount a person should take each day—from diet or supplementation—depends on their age, gender, and overall health.
If you have been diagnosed with a deficiency, your doctor may recommend higher daily doses of these nutrients until your levels return to normal. If you are looking into nutritional supplements, it is important to know which form to take.
What types of vitamin D and calcium are available?
Vitamin D comes in two forms: vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. Vitamin D2, called ergocalciferol, comes from plant sources. Vitamin D3, cholecalciferol, comes from animal sources. Although these two forms of vitamin D serve similar purposes in your body, there is some evidence that vitamin D3 may be more effective than vitamin D2 in boosting your levels (Tripkovic, 2012).
Many forms of calcium are also available without a prescription. The two most common supplements are calcium citrate and calcium carbonate. Calcium citrate can be taken with or without food, but calcium carbonate works best when taken with food. Calcium carbonate can cause side effects such as constipation and bloating.
It is important to stick to the recommended daily dosages, even when it comes to supplements. With calcium supplementation, less is often more because your body’s ability to absorb calcium decreases with higher doses (Ross, 2011).
how long does a herpes outbreak last
Can I take too much calcium?
Too much calcium may be consumed. Studies show that when people take high doses of calcium supplements, it can negatively affect their heart and blood vessel function.
However, eating foods high in calcium does not adversely affect the heart and blood vessels (Tankeu, 2017). Because it has fewer potential side effects, it’s best to get the calcium you need from your diet.
There are also some side effects to watch out for when taking combined calcium and vitamin D supplements. Studies have shown that taking vitamin D and calcium together may help reduce the risk of bone fractures. However, other studies point to the risks of side effects – such as kidney stones, digestive problems, and heart problems – outweigh the benefits of reducing the risk of fractures (Yao, 2019; Reid, 2015).
Can I take too much vitamin D?
Although rare, it is also possible to take too much vitamin D. The trick to getting the right amount of vitamin D is balance. If you take too much, the supplement will not help you the way you want it to. In addition, it may cause some unpleasant side effects (Galior, 2018).
If your doctor has prescribed a vitamin D supplement for you, it is best to take the prescribed dose. It is also important to eat foods rich in vitamin D. Getting these nutrients from the food you eat is always the best way to go.
References
- Balk, E. M., Adam, G. P., Langberg, V. N., Earley, A., Clarke, P., Ebeling, P. R. et al. (2017). Global dietary calcium intake among adults: a systematic review. Osteoporosis International: a journal created by a collaboration between the European Osteoporosis Foundation and the US National Osteoporosis Foundation, 28 (12), 3315–3324. DOI: 10.1007/s00198-017-4230-x. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5684325/
- Beto J.A. (2015). The role of calcium in human aging. Clinical Nutrition Research, 4(1), 1–8. DOI: 10.7762 / cnr.2015.4.1.1. Extracted from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4337919/
- Bivona, G., Agnello, L., Bellia, C., Jacolina, G., Scazzone, C., Lo Sasso, B. et al. (2019). Non-skeletal activity of vitamin D: from physiology to pathology of the brain. Medicine 2019, 55 (7), 341. DOI: 10.3390 / Medicine55070341. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6680897/
- Cashman, K. D., Ritz, K., Keely, M., and ODIN staff (2017). Improved Dietary Recommendations for Vitamin D: Application of Individual Participant Data (IPD) – Level of Meta-Regression Analysis. Nutrients, 9(5), 469. DOI: 10.3390 / nu9050469. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5452199/
- Galior K, Grebe S and Singh R (2018). Development of vitamin D toxicity due to overcorrection of vitamin D deficiency: a review of case reports. Nutrients, 10(8), 953. doi: 10.3390/nu10080953. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6115827/
- Ghani, L. W., and Howe, K. H. (2015). PILL series. Vitamin D deficiency. Singapore Medical Journal, 56(8), 433–437. DOI: 10.11622 / smedj.2015119. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4545131/
- Goolsby, M.A., and Bonikwith, N. (2017). Bone health in athletes. Sports Health, 9(2), 108–117. DOI: 0.1177/1941738116677732. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5349390/
- Goyal A. and Singh S. (June 22, 2020) Hypocalcemia. StatPearls [Internet]. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430912/
- Holik M., Binkley N.S., Bischoff-Ferrari H.A., Gordon K.M., Hanley D.A. ., Heaney R.P. et al. (2011). Evaluation, treatment, and prevention of vitamin D deficiency: The Endocrine Society’s Clinical Practice Guidelines. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 96(7), 1911–1930, doi:10.1210/jc.2011-0385. Retrieved from https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/96/7/1911/2833671
- Hammiss, R.A.G., Fury, J., Motsvaledi, M.H., Balliram, R. , Lemmer, & J., Feller, L. (2018). Biological activity of vitamin D and its receptor in relation to calcium and bone homeostasis, cancer, immune and cardiovascular systems, skin biology, and oral health. BioMed Research International, 2018. DOI: 10.1155/2018/9276380. Extracted from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/29951549/
- Murshed M. (2018). Mechanism of bone mineralization. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine, 8(12), a031229. DOI: 10.1101 / cshperspect.a031229. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6280711/
- Manns, C. F., Shaw, N., Keely, M., Specker, B. L., Thacher, T. D., Ozono, K. et al. (2016). Global consensus recommendations for the prevention and control of nutritional rickets. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 101(2), 394–415. DOI: 10.1210/jc.2015-2175. Extracted from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4880117/
- National Institutes of Health. (2020, March 26). Fact sheet on calcium for healthcare professionals. Retrieved from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-HealthProfessional/#en2
- Nikuye, B., Neyestani, T.R., Zehdirag, M., Mohammadi, M., Hosseini, S. H., Abdollahi, Z. et al. (2016). Bread fortified with vitamin D is as effective as a supplement for improving vitamin D status: a randomized clinical trial. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 101(6), 2511–2519. DOI: 10.1210/jc.2016-1631. Retrieved from https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/101/6/2511/2804815
- Parva N.R., Tadepalli S., Singh P., Qian A., Joshi R., Kandala H. and others (2018). Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and associated risk factors in the US population (2011-2012). Cureus, 10(6), e2741. DOI: 10.7759 / cureus.2741. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6075634/
- Pils, S., Zitterman, A., Trummer, C., Theiler-Schwetz, W., Lerchbaum, E. , Keppel, M. et al. (2019). Vitamin D Testing and Treatment: A Narrative Review of Current Evidence. Endocrine Compounds, 8(2), R27-R43. DOI: 10.1530 / EC-18-0432. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6365669/
- Pressman P., Clemens R. A. and Hayes A. W. (2017). Bioavailability of micronutrients derived from supplements and foods: a review and case study of polyphenols. Toxicological research and application. DOI: 10.1177/2397847317696366 Extracted from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2397847317696366
- Reid I.R., Bristow S.M. and Bolland M.J. (2015). Calcium supplements: benefits and risks. Journal of Internal Medicine, 278(4), 354-368. DOI: 10.1111 / joim.12394. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/joim.12394
- Ross K., Taylor K., Yaktin A. and Del Valle H. (eds.) (2011). Dietary recommendations for calcium and vitamin D intake. The National Academies Press. DOI: 10.17226/13050. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK56070/
- Cesar, O., Khare, S., Goyal, A., Bansal, P., and Givler, A. (July 21, 2020). Vitamin D deficiency. StatPearls [Internet]. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532266/#
- Sözen, T., Ozishik, L., and Basharan, N.Sh. (2017). Review and treatment of osteoporosis. European Journal of Rheumatology, 4(1), 46–56. DOI: 10.5152 / eurjrheum.2016.048. Retrieved from https://www. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5335887/
- Sullivan, S. D., Leman, A., Nathan, N. K., Thomson, K. A., & Howard, B. W. (2017). Menopausal age and risk of fracture in postmenopausal women randomized to calcium + vitamin D, hormone therapy, or a combination of both: results from the Women’s Health Initiative clinical trial. Menopause (New York, NY), 24(4), 371–378. DOI: 10.1097/GME.0000000000000775. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5365363/
- Tankeu, A.T., Agbor, V.N., & Noubiap, J.J. (2017). Calcium supplements and cardiovascular risk: a growing problem. Nutrients, 10(8), 953. doi: 10.3390/nu10080953. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jch.13010
- Tripkovich, L., Lambert, H., Hart, C., Smith, K.P., Bucca, G., Penson, S. et al. (2012). Comparison of vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 supplementation for enhancing serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status: a systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 95(6), 1357–1364.