Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is a nutrient that is critical to many bodily functions. Vitamin D3 is
beneficial for supporting bone health, immune wellness, cardio- vascular function, and cellular
metabolism, among others.* Mounting research is highlighting the ever-increasing benefits of optimal
vitamin D3 status.* Vitamin D3 is known to interact with over 200 different genes and thus plays a
crucial regulatory role as a metabolic activator for a multitude of metabolic processes.*
Highlights:
-Science-based nutrition
-Dietary supplement
Benefits:
Vitamin D from dietary intake or sun exposure requires two activation steps in the body. The first
activation occurs in the liver, while the second activation occurs in the kidneys, allowing for
regulation of calcium metabolism. However, vitamin D receptors are present throughout the body, in
tissue such as the skin, cartilage, heart, prostate, bones and intestines. Thus, the second
activation step also takes place in local tissues. Recent discoveries have highlighted the important
modulatory effects of vitamin D on various cells of the immune system.
Vitamin D enhances and regulates immune function*
Studies show that vitamin D has important immunomodulatory effects. It is known that various cells
of the immune system, such as T lymphocytes and antigen presenting cells, express the vitamin D
receptor on their surface when activated. Recently, it has been found that treatment of these immune
cells with vitamin D influences their expression of cytokines, which are chemical messengers of the
immune system. The immune modulating effects of vitamin D extend to monocytes and dendritic cells of
the immune system as well. Dendritic cells are important antigen-processing cells of the immune
system that function to initiate the immune response. By altering the cytokine expression of
dendritic cells, vitamin D may prevent overactivity of the immune response and keep the immune
system in a normal healthy state of vigilance.
Vitamin D supports optimal cardiovascular function*
Research has uncovered the role vitamin D plays in supporting cardiac function. Heart myocytes
(cells) express the vitamin D receptor, as do smooth muscle cells of blood vessels. The benefits of
vitamin D on the heart are potentially far-reaching. Studies on mice heart cells have shown that
vitamin D administration impacts their growth and proliferation. In these cells, vitamin D inhibited
the release of a protein that could be detrimental to the function of these cells, displaying
cardioprotective properties. It has also been shown that vitamin D has a modulatory effect on heart
rhythm. Again, in mouse heart cells, knocking out the effects of the vitamin D receptors led to an
increased rate of contraction and relaxation. In normal mouse cardiac myocytes, administration of
vitamin D led to normalization of heart contractility. Further studies in mice have led researchers
to conclude that vitamin D supports the overall structure and function of the heart in terms of
shape, size and performance.
Studies in humans have confirmed the importance of vitamin D for heart function. In a study
consisting of 1,739 participants from the Framingham Offspring Study, those individuals with the
highest levels of vitamin D had superior cardiac function in relation to those with low vitamin D
levels. These results make sense when taken in context of the overall effects of low vitamin D.
These effects include an imbalance in the immune production of inflammatory markers, disturbing the
normal inflammatory response and leading to potential effects on all tissues, including the heart
and blood vessels. Restoration of optimal vitamin D status supports a healthy, normal inflammatory
response and may thus restore the optimal health of the heart and cardiovascular system.
Furthermore, recent research highlights the profound benefits of vitamin D sufficiency in the realm
of markers of cardiovascular wellness. Studies have previously shown that vitamin D supplementation
has no effect on weight loss. However a recent study conducted in 200 healthy overweight individuals
has shown that vitamin D supplementation can enhance the cardiovascular benefits associated with
weight loss. The individuals participating in a 12-month weight reduction program were divided into
two groups - one received placebo while the other group received supplemental vitamin D on a daily
basis. At the end of the study, it was found that neither placebo nor vitamin D had a measurable
effect on weight loss, as both groups lost similar amounts of weight. However, cardiovascular
markers and blood lipid markers significantly improved in the vitamin D group, indicating enhanced
cardiovascular support with vitamin D supplementation.
A further way in which vitamin D may influence the health of the cardiovascular system is through
its potential blood pressure regulatory effect. While the mechanism of vitamin D's effect on blood
pressure regulation is unclear, it is known that vitamin D regulates calcium balance, supports
endothelial function, activates gene transcription, and influences the sodium-potassium balance and
aldosterone system in the kidneys. It is likely that vitamin D exerts its blood pressure regulatory
effect in one or more of these ways. A study was conducted to assess the effects of vitamin D status
on blood pressure. In this study, data from the Third US National Health and Nutrition Examination
Survey was used to determine the association of blood pressure levels with vitamin D status in
healthy individuals. The results of this study, which included data from 12,644 people, showed that
those individuals with the highest vitamin D status had an increased ability to maintain their blood
pressure levels in the normal range. By supporting blood pressure levels within a range that is
already normal, vitamin D promotes the health and wellness of the cardiovascular system.
Vitamin D supports healthy bone density and structure*
The role of vitamin D for bone health (alongside that of calcium) has been well-characterized in
published literature. Vitamin D is obviously required for optimal calcium absorption. Recent studies
have shown that possibly a majority of women with bone health issues have low levels of vitamin D.
In some studies, this number is well over 60%. One such study found that out of a total of 2,606
postmenopausal women assessed, more than 64% had levels of vitamin D of less than 30 ng/mL (measured
as serum levels of 25(OH) D, a common blood measure of vitamin D sufficiency). These authors state
that, according to a recent review article, the optimal vitamin D levels as measured by 25(OH) D are
between 50 and 80 ng/mL. Thus, levels near 30 ng/mL are significantly below those considered
optimal.
An interesting study was performed recently in Finland in which 212 adolescent females were divided
into three groups - a placebo group receiving no vitamin D, a low-dose vitamin D group (200 IU per
day) and a higher dose vitamin D group (400 IU per day). The study aimed to measure the effects of
vitamin D intake on bone mineral density in these young healthy females who also had adequate
calcium status. At the end of the one year study, both vitamin D groups had significant improvements
in bone density measured at the femur bone, whereas the 400 IU group also had significantly higher
mineral density at the lumbar spine. These findings indicate the importance of vitamin D in bone
structure and formation and also indicate the role of vitamin D in bone health independent of
calcium intake.
Vitamin D promotes healthy aging by enhancing cellular function*
Given its role as a promoter of gene expression, vitamin D affects numerous systems throughout the
body. Research unmistakably shows that vitamin D is also a regulator of cellular health and
wellness. Aged, unhealthy cells tend to lose their ability to differentiate and perform their
original intended function due to the cumulative effects of oxidative damage. Vitamin D, acting as a
pro-hormone, promotes the ability of cells to maintain their normal life cycle of birth,
differentiation, functional performance and death, when they have become overly damaged. Damaged
cells can lead to damaged tissue function. By promoting the normal cell cycle, vitamin D ensures the
progression of cells through their functionality and their healthy renewal.
Supplement Facts:
Serving Size: 1 capsule
Servings Per Container: 180
Amount Per Serving % Daily Value *
Vitamin D3 2000IU 500%
* Percent Daily Value not established.
Other Ingredients:
Extra virgin olive oil, softgel capsule (gelatin, glycerin, purified water).
Direction:
Take 1 or 2 capsules daily or as directed by a nutritionally informed physician
Warnings:
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. Vitamin D toxicity is extremely rare. In order to reach toxic levels,
most adults would have to consume 10,000 IU or more per day for many months or years. Vitamin D3
(cholecalciferol, the form found naturally in animals and humans) toxicity has rarely been reported
in the literature. Most reports of vitamin D toxicity have been attributed to faulty production,
labeling and dosing errors or to the use of vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol). When used in the amounts
recommended, vitamin D3 is very safe
Does Not Contain:
Milk, egg, wheat, gluten, sugar, sweeteners, starch, salt, or preservatives
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