Vitamin D Supplementation
The nutrient category referred to as Vitamin D represents a group of prohormones that are fat-soluble. The prohormones are the two main forms of available; namely, vitamin D2 also called ergocalciferol and then vitamin D3 also called cholecalciferol.
The body obtains Vitamin D from sun exposure, supplements and normal foods. The vitamin forms are biologically inert such that they must undergo a double hydroxylation reaction before they are activated for use in the body. Once the vitamin is ingested, sun exposure helps convert it to Calcitriol (1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol), which is the active Vitamin D form.
Once converted, Calcitriol has a major role in maintaining organ systems in the body. Its prime function however is increasing the flow of dietary calcium into your bloodstream. Vitamin D promotes the absorption of dietary calcium and phosphorus after ingestion into the intestines. It also promotes the reabsorption of calcium within the kidneys. Once calcium is absorbed, the body undergoes proper mineralization of the bone structure. This not only prevents hypocalcemic tetany, but it also enables bone remodeling and growth.
Deficiency in vitamin D, cause bone structure problems such as having brittle, thin and misshapen bones. Vitamin D deficiency impairs vital organs like the liver and the kidney besides triggering impaired bone mineralization. Consequently, individuals will suffer from kidney and liver disorders, bone softening conditions, rickets especially in children, osteomalacia especially in adults and osteoporosis.
What causes Vitamin D deficiency? Three factors play out before the deficiency is marked in an individual. For one, inadequate vitamin intake in the diet can make it impossible to synthesize vitamin D. Secondly, even in the presence of the raw forms of the vitamin; inadequate sun exposure will then make it impossible to synthesize the vitamin to usable form, Calcitriol. Finally, there may be problems in the absorption of the vitamin from the intestines.
This is where vitamin D supplementation comes in. Vitamin D supplements overcome these three limitations very easily. The supplements are packed high in the essential vitamin nutrients and then they have been synthesized to a usable form (Calcitriol) already. So with or without sun exposure the supplements can readily be used by the body. Finally, the vitamin D supplements are easily absorbed into the system and can start working within minutes of ingestion.
The known natural foods with high levels of vitamin D include fish liver oils, fatty fish acids, beef liver, UV radiated mushrooms etc. the fish types known for high vitamin D contents include herring, catfish, salmon, mackerel, sardines, tuna and eel. These are then used to manufacture natural vitamin D supplements.
The nutrient category referred to as Vitamin D represents a group of prohormones that are fat-soluble. The prohormones are the two main forms of available; namely, vitamin D2 also called ergocalciferol and then vitamin D3 also called cholecalciferol.
The body obtains Vitamin D from sun exposure, supplements and normal foods. The vitamin forms are biologically inert such that they must undergo a double hydroxylation reaction before they are activated for use in the body. Once the vitamin is ingested, sun exposure helps convert it to Calcitriol (1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol), which is the active Vitamin D form.
Once converted, Calcitriol has a major role in maintaining organ systems in the body. Its prime function however is increasing the flow of dietary calcium into your bloodstream. Vitamin D promotes the absorption of dietary calcium and phosphorus after ingestion into the intestines. It also promotes the reabsorption of calcium within the kidneys. Once calcium is absorbed, the body undergoes proper mineralization of the bone structure. This not only prevents hypocalcemic tetany, but it also enables bone remodeling and growth.
Deficiency in vitamin D, cause bone structure problems such as having brittle, thin and misshapen bones. Vitamin D deficiency impairs vital organs like the liver and the kidney besides triggering impaired bone mineralization. Consequently, individuals will suffer from kidney and liver disorders, bone softening conditions, rickets especially in children, osteomalacia especially in adults and osteoporosis.
What causes Vitamin D deficiency? Three factors play out before the deficiency is marked in an individual. For one, inadequate vitamin intake in the diet can make it impossible to synthesize vitamin D. Secondly, even in the presence of the raw forms of the vitamin; inadequate sun exposure will then make it impossible to synthesize the vitamin to usable form, Calcitriol. Finally, there may be problems in the absorption of the vitamin from the intestines.
This is where vitamin D supplementation comes in. Vitamin D supplements overcome these three limitations very easily. The supplements are packed high in the essential vitamin nutrients and then they have been synthesized to a usable form (Calcitriol) already. So with or without sun exposure the supplements can readily be used by the body. Finally, the vitamin D supplements are easily absorbed into the system and can start working within minutes of ingestion.
The known natural foods with high levels of vitamin D include fish liver oils, fatty fish acids, beef liver, UV radiated mushrooms etc. the fish types known for high vitamin D contents include herring, catfish, salmon, mackerel, sardines, tuna and eel. These are then used to manufacture natural vitamin D supplements.
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