Description
Vitamin D 5,000 IU
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Overview
Vitamin D (as cholecalciferol) is a fat-soluble vitamin. It is known as the “sunshine†vitamin because it is formed in the body by the action of the sun’s ultraviolet rays on the skin. Vitamin D is converted in the liver to calcidiol as well as in the kidneys to calcitriol, which is actually the most active form of Vitamin D. The effects of Vitamin D are targeted in the intestines and bones to promote calcium absorption. The major biologic function of Vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, thereby helping to form and maintain strong bones. It promotes bone mineralization in concert with a number of other vitamins, minerals, and hormones. Without Vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, soft, or misshapen. Vitamin D prevents skeletal diseases such as rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults which cause defects and weaken bones. Moreover, recent research indicates Vitamin D plays a crucial role by activating the body’s immune defenses by controlling T cell antigen receptor signaling and activation.
Research Indicates
Recommended Dosage
Take 1 softgel daily with a meal.
Cautions
• If you are pregnant or lactating, consult a health care practitioner prior to taking this product.
• Vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient and can accumulate at toxic levels in fatty tissue; avoid excessive Vitamin D intake (only one case of Vitamin D toxicity has ever been reported at a level of intake under 40,000 IU per day).
• Occasional side effects reported with large doses of Vitamin D include a disorder known as hypercalcemia, which causes calcium deposits in soft tissues. Signs of the disorder include headache, weakness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, kidney problems and constipation. Consult a health care practitioner if you experience any of these symptoms after taking Vitamin D.
• People with hyperparathyroidism should not take vitamin D without consulting a physician. People with sarcoidosis should not supplement with vitamin D, unless a doctor has determined that their calcium levels are not elevated.
