Vitamin D-3

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in health and aging, serving as a key regulator of calcium and phosphorus metabolism, which is vital for maintaining bone health and preventing osteoporosis, a common condition in older adults. It enhances intestinal absorption of calcium, supporting bone mineralization and skeletal integrity.

Vitamin D has been linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and certain cancers due to its anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects.

In the context of aging, adequate vitamin D levels are associated with improved muscle function, reducing the risk of falls and fractures, which are significant concerns for the elderly.

Emerging research suggests a potential role of vitamin D in cognitive health, proposing that sufficient levels may protect against cognitive decline and dementia.

Our bodies can produce vitamin D when our skin is exposed to sunlight. Ironically, we are told to avoid or obstruct the sun with sunblock. As we age, our ability to synthesize vitamin D in this way decreases, which makes it even more important to get adequate amounts from our diet or supplements.

Supplement Facts
Serving Size 1 Softgel Capsule
Amount Per Serving	% Daily value

Vitamin D-3 25 mcg (1,000 IU) 125% (as cholecalciferol)	25 mcg (1,000 IU)	125%
Other Ingredients: Softgel(gelatin,glycerinand water) and safflower oil. The role of Vitamin D in helping to maintain bone density and strength is clear. It is required for the process of moving calcium through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream.† Even though the human body can manufacture Vitamin D under ideal circumstances, there is strong evidence that much of the American population suffers from a deficiency of the nutrient. This means that supplementation may be important. Cholecalciferol (D3) is a natural, highly bioavailable form of Vitamin D derived from lanolin.

Here is a summary of vitamin D aging-protective qualities:

Bone Health. Vitamin D significantly absorbs calcium and phosphorus, two minerals essential for bone health. Vitamin D deficiency can decrease calcium absorption, promoting osteoporosis and fractures.
Muscle Function. Vitamin D is crucial for muscle function, and deficiencies can lead to weakness and falls, particularly in older adults. There is evidence that vitamin D supplementation can improve muscle strength and reduce the risk of falling in this population.
Immune Function. Vitamin D has been shown to modulate the immune response. Our immune function naturally declines as we age, a phenomenon known as immunosenescence. Maintaining adequate vitamin D levels may help to support immune function and reduce the risk of infections.
Mental Health and Cognitive Function. Vitamin D receptors are widely distributed in the brain, and vitamin D has been shown to play a role in maintaining cognitive function and mental health. Deficiencies in vitamin D have been linked with an increased risk of cognitive decline, depression, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
Cardiovascular Health. Vitamin D may also play a role in heart health. Some research has suggested a link between low levels of vitamin D and increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke.
Cancer Prevention. Some evidence suggests that vitamin D might play a role in reducing the risk of certain types of cancers, including colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer, though more research is needed.

I have already touched on most aspects of my health influenced by vitamin D supplementation, but it's worth repeating that my body is still as muscular as it was in middle age. Although the average person loses 1% to 3% of muscle mass per decade after age 30, a 70-year-old man may have lost 40-90% of his muscle mass from his 30-year-old self. That hasn't been the case in my situation.

I haven’t mentioned cancer prevention yet. Cancers are tricky to predict or prevent with as much confidence as other conditions mentioned here because most people of my generation were heavily exposed to lead, asbestos, industrial pollutants, x-rays, dental amalgams, and many other environmental carcinogens. Knowing all this, every ounce of prevention counts even more.

A note of caution!

Many doctors and health authorities recommend large — way above 1,000 UI — daily doses of vitamin D to adults. This practice causes bone resorption — a term that describes the release of calcium (and phosphate) stored in the bone tissue into the bloodstream.

The ensuing loss of calcium and phosphate causes osteomalacia or bone softening, a leading cause of bone deformities such as bow legs and spine curvature in adults. Thus, while vitamin D deficiency directly impairs bone mineralization, excessive vitamin D intake undermines bone health by causing bone demineralization.

Curiously, osteomalacia is called rickets in children and scoliosis in teenagers, and most medical professionals don’t recognize this connection. Although the primary causes of all three conditions are chronic deficiency of calcium, vitamin D, and sun exposure (as a source of endogenous vitamin D), too much vitamin D is an equally insidious risk factor.

How to take Vitamin D-3

To maximize the benefits of Vitamin D-3 (cholecalciferol) and ensure proper absorption, follow these guidelines:

Take one capsule daily along with other supplements. Do not use hot beverages to prevent stickiness in the oral cavity and esophagus.

Vitamin D-3 is fat-soluble, so it’s best absorbed when taken with a meal containing fats such as butter, fatty fish, liquid cod liver oil, or fatty meats.

It’s best to take Vitamin D-3 earlier in the day to avoid potential interference with sleep related to the energy boost it provides.

Vitamin D3 is stored in fat tissues and the liver, so excessive intake can lead to toxicity (e.g., hypercalcemia). Symptoms of overdose include nausea, weakness, and irregular heartbeat. Stay within safe limits indicated on the label.

Vitamin D3 works synergistically with calcium and magnesium to support bone health. Combining it with Vitamin K2 can help direct calcium to the bones instead of soft tissues.

If you take medications like corticosteroids, anticonvulsants, or cholesterol-lowering drugs, consult your healthcare provider, as they may reduce Vitamin D-3 absorption.

People with fat malabsorption issues such as celiac and Crohn’s diseases may also need higher doses of Vitamin D-3.

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.