D3   

Vitamin D3 is necessary for utilization of calcium and phosphorus and in many ways acts as a hormone. The most important form of vitamin D is cholecalciferol (D3), which is derived from our own cholesterol. It can also be taken as a supplement and is not toxic up to 40,000 IU. We make 20,000 IU during 30 minutes of full sun exposure.
A dietary deficiency of vitamin D inhibits the production of the protein that binds calcium in the intestines, so that calcium cannot be absorbed, even if there is adequate intake. Deficiencies of vitamin D are often found in people who receive inadequate exposure to sunlight or always use sunscreen. Studies support lowering of blood pressure when used with vitamin C, decrease in heart attack and MS symptoms. Anecdotal evidence shows a possible anti-cancer effect. Go to the www.cholecalciferol-council.com website for more detailed information.

Cholecalciferol =  vitamin D3 =  The Real Vitamin D

 

Cholecalciferol is the naturally occurring form of vitamin D. It is the substance made in large quantities in your skin when sunlight strikes your bare skin. It can also be taken as a supplement. Cholecalciferol is vitamin D; all other compounds are either metabolic products or chemical modifications.

What Forms of Vitamin D are Available?

Non-prescription vitamin D supplements are available in the USA as either Vitamin D2 Ergocalciferol or Vitamin D3 Cholecalciferol. Both are referred to as "vitamin D" although they are different in their origins, metabolism, and potential toxicity.

Cholecalciferol

Cholecalciferol is the naturally occurring form of vitamin D. Whenever I use the term "vitamin D," I am referring to cholecalciferol. In fact, cholecalciferol is the only vitamin D, as all other forms of vitamin D are different molecules. The current system of naming vitamin D is very confusing, as anything with vitamin D activity is often called "vitamin D." This is like calling anything with corticosteroid activity, "cortisol," or anything with androgen activity, "testosterone". It is not only confusing, it makes no sense.

Furthermore, the body turns vitamin D into two very important hormones, calcidiol and calcitriol, and they are also called vitamin D! This borders on the ridiculous as it would be like calling both testosterone and estrogen, "cholesterol", as both are made from cholesterol. However, cholesterol, estrogen, and testosterone are very different molecules with very different functions. Likewise, cholecalciferol, calcidiol, and calcitriol are very different molecules with very different functions.

Cholecalciferol is available at most health food stores and on the internet as 400 or 1,000 unit capsules. "Units" are actually International Units and are an old and confusing way of measuring vitamin D. Remember, vitamin D is active in tiny quantities. For example, 1,000 units are 25 micrograms which is 0.025  mg or 0.000025 of a gram. Very small amounts are active which is another way of saying cholecalciferol is quite potent.

Potency and Dose

Potency just means the dose necessary for a response. The lower the dose, the greater the potency. For example, you might take two Tylenol tablets (1,000 mg) to relieve a headache. Current studies indicate one needs about 4,000 units of cholecalciferol a day to meet the body's need for vitamin D. 4,000 units of cholecalciferol is equal to 100 micrograms, or 0.1 milligrams. So the 1,000 milligrams of Tylenol needed to help your headache is 10,000 times the 0.1 milligrams of cholecalciferol needed to help your body. Therefore, cholecalciferol is 10,000 times more potent than Tylenol.

This potency (tiny doses are effective) is one of the reason vitamin D has a reputation as being toxic. Very few other vitamins, supplements or even medications are effective in microgram quantities.

A Prehormone

You will read that cholecalciferol is a hormone; it is not. It is a prehormone. In fact, it is no more of a hormone than cholesterol. In a way it is similar to cholesterol. For example, some of the cholesterol you eat is turned into hormones: estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, etc. Some of the cholecalciferol from your skin or from supplements you take will be turned into hormones by the body. So cholecalciferol is no more of a hormone than is cholesterol.

However, some of your cholecalciferol will be turned into calcitriol, a very potent steroid with anti-cancer properties. Remember when I showed you how cholecalciferol is 10,000 times more potent than Tylenol? Well calcitriol is 10,000,000,000 (ten billion) times more potent than Tylenol! We will talk more about this in other sections.

Ergocalciferol

Another substance that is often called vitamin D is ergocalciferol (sometimes called vitamin D2 or Calciferol). It is derived by radiating fungus. It is not the naturally occurring vitamin D for humans. Fungus contains fat-like substances called sterols which are commercially irradiated to form ergocalciferol. As it is derived from plants, and not animals, ergocalciferol is considered Kosher.

Ergocalciferol does not exist in detectable quantities in the human body, only in tiny quantities in plants and as such is "unnatural", when in the human body. You can not get any appreciable ergocalciferol by eating vegetables. Ergocalciferol is metabolized to various substances in the body, some of which are not normally present in humans, although these metabolites have never been shown to be dangerous. There is also some evidence that ergocalciferol is more toxic in overdose, which is curious as it is only about half as potent as the naturally occurring vitamin D, cholecalciferol. Your body also metabolizes ergocalciferol more quickly than cholecalciferol.

 For much more information on the Vitamin D deficiency relationship to illness please go to the non-profit, educational website: www.vitamindcouncil.com