Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble prohormone. There are two major forms—vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Vitamin D3 is produced in the skin when it is exposed to sunlight.

Vitamin D is important for the maintenance of many organ systems in the body.

• It stimulates anti-tumor activity by affecting the immune system to promote phagocytosis. There is growing evidence linking high levels of vitamin D with lower incidence of colon cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and prostate cancer.
• Vitamin D regulates calcium and phosphorus levels by promoting their absorption from the intestines allowing for proper bone formation, preventing osteoporosis and building strong bones.
• Vitamin D can lower the risk of autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Vitamin D deficiency occurs from inadequate intake and inadequate sunlight exposure. It can also occur from impaired conversion into its active metabolites from liver or kidney disease. Using sunlight to prevent deficiencies is not recommended because the risk of skin cancer can increase. Making dietary changes and supplementing with D3 is recommended. Dietary sources of vitamin D include eggs, pink salmon, mackerel and sardines. Supplementing with 2000 IU to 4000 IU a day of vitamin D3 is recommended but only after analysis of your baseline levels. Vitamin D is fat soluble and overdose is possible. Vitamin D toxicity can lead to abnormally high blood calcium levels, which can cause kidney stones, bone loss and calcification of major organs. People with hyperparathyroidism, lymphoma, sarcoidosis or tuberculosis may develop high levels of calcium with any increase in vitamin D intake and should do so only under the supervision of a physician.

Always supplement with vitamin D3 from an FDA-approved, pharmaceutical grade supplement line. Please see our supplement section for the full line of pharmaceutical grade supplements provided at Fountain of You.

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