Vitamin D3 Supplement - Cholecalciferol to Support the Immune System

Vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol, is one of the two main variants of vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin now available to buy at Supersmart. It is present in nutritional supplements in the forms D2 (ergocalicferol) and D3. In the liver, both are converted into 25-hydroxy-vitamin D, or 25(OH)D. Over the last 10 years, research has demonstrated that vitamin D may offer a number of additional health benefits when given at the right dose.

What are the benefits associated with Vitamin D3 1000 UI?

Reduces the risk of certain cancers

Scientific studies suggest that vitamin D may reduce the risk of 17 different types of cancer, including that of the colon, breast, prostate, ovaries, oesophagus, kidneys or bladder. It may even improve treatment outcomes for patients already diagnosed with cancer. Dr Cedric F Garland, a cancer prevention specialist at the Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, estimates that 250,000 cases of colon cancer and 350,000 cases of breast cancer might be prevented each year throughout the world by increasing consumption of vitamin D3.

Studies suggest that vitamin D3 begins to have a protective effect when 25(OH)D blood levels reach between 24 and 32 ng/ml. According to these studies, a significant decrease in cancer risk might be achieved with a daily dose of vitamin D3 of 2000 IU. Other studies also suggest that vitamin D may help prevent the recurrence, or slow the progress, of prostate cancer in patients who have already been treated for the disease as well as improving survival rates for lung cancer patients.

Benefits for bone health and infections

• The role of vitamin D in bone health is long-established. One of its principal biological roles is to maintain normal calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood. By promoting calcium absorption, it helps to form and maintain strong bones.
• One scientific article hypothesized that seasonal infections such as influenza, could be due to the lower vitamin D levels typically seen during winter months, and not to an increase in viral activity.
• Low levels of 25(OH)D are associated with a higher incidence of hypertension, diabetes, obesity and elevated blood levels of triglycerides. In patients suffering from congestive cardiac insufficiency, daily administration of 2000 IU vitamin D combined with 500 mg calcium reduced levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines partly responsible for their condition.
• Has an immunomodulatory effect.
• Reduces predisposition to diabetes in elderly people, by slowing down insulin sensitivity.
• Significantly reduces the risk of falls in elderly people.

Vitamin D3 is generally well-tolerated in adults at daily doses up to 2000 IU. Several studies suggest it may be safe even at doses up to 10,000 IU/day, although health authorities have set the safe upper limit at 1000 IU/day. Scientists, however, believe a healthy adult needs close to 1000 IU/day. This dosage is available to buy at Supersmart.