Vitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3)
The sun is our most important source of vitamin D. Exposure to the sun, in moderate doses, also gives large amounts of this vitamin. The ultraviolet radiation in these sources converts 7-dihydrocholesterol to previtamin D3 in the skin. Furthermore, heat isomerization to vitamin D3 takes place, then transport to the liver and hydroxylation to calcidiol, which is transported to the kidneys and hydroxylated to the active hormone calcitriol. The vitamin D3 status of the body is supposed to be reliably imaged by calcidiol measurements. Vitamin D3 is actually considered a hormone because it made in the body by ultraviolet radiation from the sun on 7-dihydrocholesterol.
Vitamin D3 is not politically correct. It discriminates depending where you live, the further you live from the equator the less sun exposure consequently the lower your Vitamin D3 level. It discriminates against the elderly, as you age your skin loses up to 75% of its ability to make Vitamin D3. It discriminates against the obese. They have lower levels of Vitamin D3, due to the fact it is oil soluble, that it builds up in the fat tissue. It discriminates against skin color a dark complected person needs more sun exposure to produce their Vitamin D3 than a fair skinned person. It also discriminates against a person who does as they are told. It has been reported the incident of breast cancers have increased 40% in Australia due to Vitamin D3 deficiency caused by sunscreen use.
Vitamin D3 is responsible for regulating the calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood by their absorption from food and re-absorption of calcium in the kidney. It promotes bone formation and is essential in the development of strong bones. It also inhibits paraththyroid hormone secretion from the parathyroid gland. Vitamin D affects the immune system by promoting immunosuppression and anti-tumor activity.
“Osteoporosis and Low Bone Mass - Females and Males
- Osteoporosis and low bone mass are currently estimated to be a major public health threat for almost 44 million U.S. women and men aged 50 and older.
- The 44 million people with either osteoporosis or low bone mass represent 55 percent of the people aged 50 and older in the United States.
- By the year 2010, it is estimated that over 52 million women and men in this same age category will be affected and, if current trends continue, the figure will climb to over 61 million by 2020. “
This information is from the National Osteoporosis Foundation. Vitamin D3 is responsible for calcium and phosphorus absorption and the mineralization of bones, Vitamin D3 levels should be routinely since osteoporosis or low bone mass affects 55% of a group or 44 million US men and women over age 50. There are two vitamin D tests -- 1,25(OH)D and 25(OH)D. 25(OH)D is the better marker of overall D status. It is this marker that is most strongly associated with overall health.
The correct test to determine Vitamin D3 is 25(OH)D, also called 25-hydroxyvitamin D.
M. F. Holick, Department of Medicine, Boston University Medical Center, MA stated in Bone August 17 1995 that 1,25(OH)2D3 is a potent antiproliferative and prodifferentiation mediator. As a result, 1,25(OH)2D3 and its analogs have wide clinical application in such diverse clinical disorders as:
- Rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis
- Diabetes mellitus type 1
- Hypertension
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Seizure disorders
- Cancers of the breast, prostate, and colon
- Some leukemias and myeloproliferative disorders
- Chemotherapy-induced hair loss
- Skin rejuvenation
- Skin diseases like psoriasis and ichthyosis.
What is the dose of Vitamin D3? The correct dose will vary depending on the patient’s age, weight, skin color, geographic location and season of the year, sun exposure. Liver and kidney function also add to the complexity of dosing. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and can be quite toxic. So don't start a program of Vitamin D3 supplementation unless you have your blood levels checked. You may choose to ignore this warning, but I am telling you in plain simple English, that while vitamin D has enormous potential for improving your health, it has nearly equal potential to worsen it, if you use it improperly. For safety purposes it is advisable to optimize your vitamin D3 levels only with the help of a physician and proper testing. Based on an article, Int J Cancer, 2004 Jan 1, it appears that a blood level of 40-60 nmol/l of 25(OH)D is optimal. Partners in Care, Inc. can prepare Vitamin D3 in the following dosage forms:
- Transdermal Gels In various Strengths
- Vitamin D3 Injectable 100,000 units/ml
- Vitamins D2 and D3 Injectable 100,000 units/ml
- Suppositories
- Vitamin D2 & Vitamin D3 Capsules 100,000 units
- Vitamin D3 Capsules 100,000 Units
The injectables and transdermals have given the good responses, according to feedback from physicians. We have recently had a patient, with a blood level of 17 nmol/l go to 93 nmol/l using our 100,000 unit capsules of vitamin D2 & vitamin D3 in three months. We can prepare the dosage form and strength ordered by your physician. |
