Viridian Vitamin D3 2000iu

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that helps the body form and maintain healthy bones, muscle and teeth. The classic vitamin D deficiency disease is rickets. More recent research has shown that it helps regulate the immune system, lowering the risk of infection, mood issues, heart disease and autoimmune diseases. Yet as fear of sun-exposure has grown and lifestyles have become more sedentary, exposure to the sun has dropped dramatically and vitamin D deficiency and the incidence of rickets has surged.

The skin cannot create vitamin D if covered in sunscreen or clothing, it is thought that a sun cream with SPF15 will reduce the skin’s ability to synthesize vitamin D by more than 95%. Many older people and those from the Asian community who tend to wear more modest clothing are amongst the population groups most like to suffer deficiency in vitamin D. Dietary sources include fortified foods, eggs and fatty fish.

Vitamin D3 is the form of vitamin D that our bodies produce naturally, following a biotransformation of cholesterol following exposure to ultra violet rays from the sun. Vitamin D3 is also found in some animal products too, including those derived from sheep’s wool, however Viridian Nutrition’s Vitamin D3 is derived from lichen, a vegan source.

Vitamin D3 is converted by the liver into the circulating form - 25(OH)D3. The circulating form is then converted, by the kidneys and other tissues into 1-25(OH)2D3, the active form, which is then able to instigate the physiological effects associated with vitamin D. This same conversion takes place with Vitamin D2 also, but some believe that the conversion is superior from D3. This is not true. The conversion of D3 to 25(OH)D is slightly more rapid than from D2.

Viridian’s Vitamin D3 400iu and 2000iu are vegan form, derived from lichen. See also, Viridian Organic Vitamin D2 400iu which is derived from organic mushrooms.
Viridian Vitamin D2 1000iu is produced via a fermentation process.

OSTEOPOROSIS – The major biological function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and maintain strong bones. Recently, research also suggests vitamin D may provide protection from osteoporosis. Vitamin D levels have also been found to be low in magnesium deficient osteoporosis sufferers; this may be because magnesium is required for an enzyme that converts vitamin D into its most active form (1,25-(OH)2D3). It is also important to note that excessive intake of vitamin D can also lead to greater calcium LOSS from the skeleton, as the primary function of vitamin D is to keep serum super saturated with calcium, whether this is taken from the digestive tract (dietary sources), or from the skeleton itself. This emphasises the importance of correct dosage.

IMMUNE FUNCTION - Vitamin D, the so-called sunshine vitamin, which can be obtained from food, supplements or manufactured by human skin exposed to the sun, plays a key role in boosting the immune system, researchers believe. In particular it triggers and arms the body's T cells, the cells in the body that seek out and destroy any invading bacteria and viruses. Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have discovered that Vitamin D is crucial to activating our immune defenses and that without sufficient intake of the vitamin, the killer cells of the immune system (T cells) will not be able to react to and fight off serious infections in the body.

Scientists have reported that women who take vitamin D within multivitamins are 40 per cent less likely to develop multiple sclerosis than women who do not take supplements.
Many cells within the body have vitamin D receptors, and some strains of leukocyte are such an example. 25(OH)D can act as a regulator of immune responses by activating genetic material following binding to Vitamin D receptors.

CELLULAR PROTECTION - Vitamin D and calcium are metabolically interrelated and highly correlated dietary factors. Experimental studies have shown their participation in regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis in breast cells.

It is also now known that 1 in 20 genes in the Human Genome rely on vitamin D as a regulatory factor.

MUSCULAR PAIN – High dose vitamin D supplementation corrects the vitamin D deficiency that is common in patients with musculo-skeletal pain, provides an important anti-inflammatory benefit and alleviates muscle pain. A two year placebo controlled study involving 48 institutionalised elderly patients, taking vitamin 1000iu D2 (ergocalciferol) daily, resulted in increases in the relative number and size of type II muscle fibres and improved muscle strength in the vitamin D-treated group.

ANTI-DEPRESSANT – Vitamin D supplementation has resulted in lessening the severity of depression and enhancing mood, sociability, and overall sense of wellbeing. Vitamin D rapidly increases the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (the rate-limiting enzyme for the catecholamine biosynthesis) by threefold. Summer sunlight increases brain serotonin levels twice as much as winter sunlight, a finding compatible with both bright light in the visible spectrum and vitamin D affecting mood. Vitamin D is widely involved in brain function with nuclear receptors for vitamin D localized in neurons and glial cells. The reported biological effects of vitamin D in the nervous system include the biosynthesis of neurotrophic factors, inhibition of the synthesis of inducible nitric oxide synthase and increased glutathione levels, suggesting a role for the hormone in brain detoxification pathways.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is prevalent when vitamin D stores are typically low. Research reveals that vitamin D may be an important treatment for SAD.

whats the Dosage range of Vitamin D?

1-3 capsules daily, or as advised by your health care practitioner. Ideally taken with food. It is advisable that this dose be taken in increments throughout the day rather than all at once, due to the fact that hepatic hydroxylase, the enzyme involved in the conversion of D3 into 25(OH)D3 can quickly reach a saturation point, at which it is unable to perform the conversion.

Potential applications of Vitamin D3

Osteoporosis, osteomalacia (bone softening), muscle weakness/wasting, cellular support, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, psoriasis, and periodontal disease. Hyperparathyroidism due to low levels of vitamin D. Vitamin D malabsorption is common in Crohn’s Disease and can lead to a deficiency of the vitamin.

Vitamin D deficiency results in rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Rickets, characterised by an inability to calcify the bone matrix, results in softening of the skull bones, bowing of the legs, spinal curvature, and increased joint size. Vitamin D deficiency is now most often seen in elderly people who do not get any sunlight, particularly those in nursing homes.

Known contraindications  of Vitamin D- People with hyperparathyroidism should not take vitamin D without consulting a physician.

Interactions with Vitamin D

Vitamin D should be used with caution in patients taking digoxin, because hypercalcemia (which may result with excess vitamin D use) may precipitate abnormal heart rhythms.
Concurrent administration of thiazide diuretics and vitamin D to hypoparathyroid patients may cause hypercalcemia, which may be transient or may require discontinuation of vitamin D. Stimulant laxatives can reduce dietary vitamin D absorption. Use of corticosteroids can cause osteoporosis and calcium depletion with long-term administration. This calcium depletion creates a greater need for both supplemental calcium and vitamin D (which is necessary for calcium absorption).

Pregnancy and lactation - Recommendations for vitamin D in pregnancy, at the time of writing, are set at 10ug (400iu) daily. Doses higher than 10ug should be via consultation with a GP.

Directions: As a food supplement, take one capsule daily with food, or as directed by your healthcare professional.

One capsule provides: