Fundamental D3
Natural Vitamin D3 Supplement - Vitamin D3 1000 IU
4 Month Supply of Vitamin D3
Fundamental D3 1000 is a naturally sourced vitamin D3 supplement, containing 1,000 IU of Vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is also known as cholecalciferol or calciol, and is one of two major forms of vitamin D, the other being vitamin D2 or ergocalciferol. Vitamin D2 is produced by plants, invertebrates and fungi whereas D3 is produced by animals. For this reason D3, being the native form that is synthesized by animals and humans, is considered to be the most effective form of the vitamin. Many believe that therefore it ought to be absorbed and assimilated more easily and have the greatest effect in the body.
History of Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 was first categorized in 1936, but vitamin D was first identified as part of research demonstrating that rickets in dogs could be cured by administering cod liver oil. Initially vitamin A was thought to be the substance relieving the rickets, but further testing using cod liver oil in which active vitamin A was absent revealed that another substance was responsible for the recovery. This substance was termed vitamin D and although it is not strictly a vitamin, as it may be synthesized by the body, there are some circumstances - such as during months of low light levels - under which the body is unable to generate enough to carry out the many processes for which it is required.
The recommended dose of vitamin D3 have been questioned by the research community, as a growing body of evidence suggests that it may be considerably higher than previously thought. As recently as 2010 the maximum doses have been changed, but still depend greatly upon age, sun exposure and levels of vitamin D already in the body.
Fundamental D3 is recommended as part of a balanced diet to ensure that enough vitamin D is available to fulfill the body's requirements.
Does the Body Produce Vitamin D3? The Science of Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 is produced naturally in the body by the action of sunlight on the skin. This action produces a precursor to vitamin D from cholesterol derivatives under the skin, which then travels to the liver to become hydroxylated, whereupon it is stored in hepatocyte liver cells until it is needed. Sunlight (UVB radiation) is intrinsic to this process, however in temperate regions the specific type of radiation required only occurs in great enough levels during the spring and summer months. Therefore in temperate regions during autumn and winter months, and more polar regions for a greater proportion of the year, a deficiency of vitamin D may be experienced.
It is estimated that in temperate zones, skin would have to be directly exposed to the sun for an hour each day in order for sufficient levels of vitamin D3 to be maintained in the body. Although vitamin D, a fat soluble vitamin, can be stored in the liver indefinitely, research has shown that many people in the UK are deficient in the vitamin by the end of the spring.
Identifying levels of D3 is possible by testing for 25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels in the blood to ascertain whether a person is deficient. A vitamin D3 supplement may be particularly recommended to those that do not get enough sun exposure, such as those that spend a lot of time indoors or those that live in places that do not receive much sunlight.
Why Dark Skinned People May Need More Vitamin D3
As dark skinned people, such as those of African, Hispanic or Indian origins, have a greater natural barrier to UV radiation than light skinned individuals, they may benefit from taking vitamin D3. This is because they would require a greater dose of sunlight than their lighter skinned counterparts in order to synthesize the same amount of vitamin D3 themselves. It is estimated that they would require six times the exposure to sunlight than a lighter skinned person.
Other Reasons You May Need A Vitamin D3 Supplement
With aging, the body's natural ability to produce vitamin D3 declines as skin becomes less robust and so vitamin D3 would also be especially recommended under these circumstances. Even when a person spends a lot of time outdoors, they may not be getting the correct exposure to synthesize enough of this vitamin themselves.
Wearing lots of clothes (even light tights) inhibits the absorption of UV radiation into the skin. Wearing sunglasses also has the same negative effect on UV radiation absorption. As it is also common practice for skin care products to contain some sort of UV protection, habitually applying these products can also hinder the body's ability to generate its own vitamin D.
Although this seems to conflict with advice against over-exposure to sunlight due to the risks of skin cancer and premature aging, the reality is that a measured approach to exposure must be taken. In the same way, just as a vitamin D deficiency can be harmful, over-consumption can also have detrimental effects on health.
Benefits of Vitamin D3 - Importance of a Vitamin D3 Supplement
Vitamin D3 is essential for healthy formation and maintenance of bones and teeth but it also affects many other processes in the body. It affects immune function and promotes health in the heart and central nervous system.
Of course, vitamin D3 is involved in the regulation of calcium absorption through the wall of the intestine during digestion and metabolism; calcium is well known as being linked to healthy bones and teeth. Lower levels of vitamin D have been shown to be linked to an increased risk of low bone mineral density in addition to other factors such as a sedentary lifestyle.
Low levels of vitamin D can cause bone diseases such as rickets, osteomalacia, or osteoporosis. Rickets is no longer a problem in affluent countries, however osteoporosis remains a problem in the aging population all over the world. A long term and often chronic disease, osteoporosis is often treated using vitamin D3, however the D3 supplement may also function as a preventative measure against the condition.
Vitamin D3 and Immune System
Vitamin D3 has also been shown to perform a regulatory role in the function of the immune system, promoting especially the phagocytic system and natural killer (NK) cells which are involved in tumor rejection and defense against viruses. It has also been suggested that lack of vitamin D during the winter months may be responsible for influenza (flu) epidemics, possibly due to worse general immunity at this time of year.
Vitamin D3 and Depression
As vitamin D3 stores are often severely depleted during autumn and winter months due to lower levels of sunlight, lower skin exposure and less time spent in direct sunlight, it has been postulated that low levels of this vitamin may be linked with depression and especially seasonal depression (also known as seasonal affective disorder or SAD).
Vitamin D3 and Heart Disease, Premature Aging Cancer and More...
Studies have found that lower levels of vitamin D are associated with higher incidence of cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. Low levels of vitamin D are associated with premature aging, as well as certain cancers (of the prostate, ovaries, colon and breast in particular), Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes (as vitamin D is linked to the regulation of insulin secretion) and multiple sclerosis. The linking of this vitamin with so many apparently disparate conditions reveals how many processes in the body it is involved in and hence demonstrates how valuable it is.
Taking vitamin D3 supplements ensures that the body has an adequate supply to meet its requirements all year round. There are plenty of natural sources of vitamin D, such as dairy products, eggs, oily fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines, liver and mushrooms (mushrooms being the only vegan source). There are also many cereals that are fortified with this vitamin. Although they are many, these sources are insufficient in maintaining the body's levels of vitamin D3 and thus exposure of the skin and to direct sunlight or a vitamin D3 supplement are recommended.
Fundamental D3 1000 is a natural vitamin D3 supplement that is made in USA to assure quality.
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