Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 is one of the many naturally occurring vitamins needed by the body. The greatest source of this vitamin is the sun; the vitamin is formed when the skin is exposed to the ultra violet rays of the sun hence the nickname ‘sunshine vitamin’.

Also known as cholecalciferol, it is more than just a fat soluble vitamin; it is also a hormone. It takes on the role of a vitamin when bonding with calcium to aid absorption as calcium cannot be properly digested by the human body in the absence of this vitamin or when it is below the level needed by the body.

In its hormonal role, it produces a steroid hormone called ‘secosteroid’ which plays an important role in the regulation of the levels of calcium and phosphorous in the body. It also helps to regulate bone mineralization. When playing its role as a hormone, it is referred to as calcitrol.

Sources of Vitamin D3

This vitamin can be gotten naturally through exposure to sunlight; through natural foods that carry a generous amount of it and; through supplements.

  • Sunshine: due to growing fears and concerns over cancer, people are avoiding direct contact with the sun as much as possible. When in the sun, they use sunscreen to protect their skin from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. This has stripped most people of the needed amount of sun for the production of this substance. The sun is one of the richest sources of this vitamin; exposure of the skin to sunshine for as little as 15 to 18 minutes, three times weekly can increase the amount of cholecalciferol the body can store and use for several months. Staying under the early morning sun is strongly advised as it is mild and does not burn the skin like the afternoon sun.
  • Fish is one food with rich natural deposits of vitamin D3. The types of fish that fall under this category are the ones rich in fat. They are usually fresh from water; sardine, trout, herring, mackerel, catfish and salmon fall under this category.
  • Cod liver oil is another excellent source of cholecalciferol. There are also large amounts of this vitamin in beef liver and egg yolks.
  • Fortified Foods – food manufacturers usually add Vitamin D to manufactured or processed foods but the type added is synthesized ergocalciferol – the type that occurs in plants (it is also called Vitamin D2). Fortified foods include tofu, soymilk, cereals, cow milk and orange juice.
  • Mushroom – this is the only vegetable that has a rich natural deposit of this substance whether canned, cooked or boiled.

Functions

Vitamin D3 is essential for great overall health. It plays an important role in cardiovascular and bone health. It helps the body to absorb calcium which is needed for stronger bone formation. It is important in mental health and well being. It is also important in the prevention of cancer. It helps in the metabolism of phosphorous and regulates immune system response.

Benefits

Vitamin D3Adequate presence of Vitamin D3 in the body lowers the body’s vulnerability to certain bacterial infections and prevents chronic pain and fatigue. It boosts the body’s protection against inflammations, breast cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, bladder cancer and cancer of the rectum. There is greater blood sugar balance when this vitamin is present in an optimal amount. There is also better regulation of insulin activity. It minimizes the risks of heart diseases and failure, hypertension, diabetes and insulin resistance. It helps prevents muscle weakness and improves rheumatoid arthritis in adults. It also helps in the prevention and treatment of rickets and helps in the formation of strong bones and teeth especially in children and teenagers.

Symptoms and Effects of Vitamin D3 Deficiency

Deficiency of this vitamin can be characterized by symptoms such as aches and weakness of the muscles; soft bones and regular fracturing of bone; severe asthmatic attacks and stunted growth in children; increased vulnerability to diseases due to poor immunity; chronic fatigue and low energy level; chronic depression, etc

Recommended Daily Amount or Dosage

Generally, a daily amount of up to 1000 IU (International Units) is recommended. A daily amount of 200 to about 400 IU is recommended daily from birth till up to 50 years; 400 to about 600 IUs daily for people within the age range of 51 and 70 and; 600 to about 1000 IUs for people that are 70 upwards.

Supplements

The use of supplements in place of natural cholecalciferol is appropriate for those who for one reason or the other cannot get it from direct sunlight or food. The supplements are easy to get and affordable and comes in different forms. Typical forms in which they come include, tablets, gels, sublingual sprays, cod liver oil, capsules amongst others.

Toxicity and Overdose

As great and important as this vitamin is for the body, it should not be taken in excess as it can lead to overdose which can be toxic to the body. Often than not, overdosing is caused by supplements. Also known as hypervitaminosis, cholecalciferol toxicity can be quite serious but it can be treated. The vulnerability to cholecalciferol toxicity is further heightened by health conditions like liver and kidney diseases. This toxicity causes hypercalcemia, a health condition where calcium builds up in the body. The symptoms include; frequent urination, nausea and vomiting, kidney stones irregular beating or rhythm of the heart, loss of energy, loss of appetite and weight, and constipation. If any of these occur, the intake of this vitamin should be stopped at once and the sufferer should see a doctor immediately.


With the outlined benefits and functions, it is easy to see that vitamin D3 is essential for day to day living and should be taken seriously. A deficiency should be avoided as much as possible to prevent the occurrence of health problems. For those who are allergic to taking supplements or who do not have the cash to purchase them, the sun is always on hand to give you the needed amount and it is for free. If you are worried about going in the sun of you have skin issues, then the foods and supplements are there to fill your daily need.

Vitamin D3 Supplements

One’s body can actually manufacture Vitamin D3, specifically on the skin, if he exposes himself to enough healthy sunlight. But what if it was winter time? How could the skin possibly create Vitamin D3? Or in countries where sunlight seems to be a luxury, how can people provide their bodies the recommended daily amount of this vitamin? The answer for these questions is actually very simple – Vitamin D3 supplements. Of course, one cannot just buy these supplements from the pharmacy without consulting a doctor. Remember, excessive amounts of this substance in the body may cause some negative effects.

One may also obtain this vitamin from some food like tuna or milk. However, these foods may just give very little quantities, not enough for the recommended daily consumption of Vitamin D3.

In other words, people resort to supplements which can provide quick results and will not really cost a lot. These supplements come in different forms – fish oil, liquid, spray, gel caps, capsules, tablets and many more.

Even before, cod liver oil has been regarded by many as the best source. In fact, early experiments on cod liver oil have paved the way for the creation of Vitamin D3. Cod liver oil was fed to dogs and it was found out that they did not get rickets. Some years later, a doctor modified the cod liver oil and got the same results – no dog got rickets. This made him conclude that there is another vitamin present in it which he called Vitamin D. The problem with this is that it could also contain mercury and other toxic chemicals. Another thing, liver oil also has Vitamin A in it. Vitamins A and D3 have the same receptors in the body. If that is the case, then the absorption of it may be lessened.

Available Vitamin D3 Supplements

Vitamin D3 SupplementsA particular Vitamin D3 supplement called Pure helps in absorbing calcium, thus improving bone health. It could also improve the immunity system and can prevent or lessen the risk of breast, prostate, cardiovascular and color cancer. If one has shown symptoms of prostate problems, Pure maybe combined with Peentus or Urostar for more and better effects.

Another supplement that is found to increase Vitamin D level in the blood is the estrogen – hormone replacement therapy (ERT). If a Vitamin D3 supplement will be consumed together with ERT, the result would be increased bone mass.

Thiazide is another supplement that can augment Vitamin D level in the body. This yields high calcium levels in the blood.

AlgaeCal Plus is another supplement that is fast becoming very popular among those needing Vitamin D. This was derived from a South American alga. It contains 1600 iu of the daily Vitamin D3 needs. It is sourced out from natural plants. It was certified as organic. Clinically, it was proven to boost bone mineral density. The calcium it contains does not cause constipation. This may be bought online for $29.95 per bottle. Each bottle contains 90 tablets – good for 1 month.

Egan Wellness Clinic also offers Vitamin D3 supplements that are guaranteed to be of high quality. One good side effect of this supplement is healthier skin and nails. They sell 100 capsules in 1 bottle (5,000 iu) for $14.85 online.