Vitamin D also known as the "sunshine vitamin," is
produced in the skin upon sun exposure. Vitamin D is also obtained through the
dietary consumption of foods such as fish, eggs, mushrooms, milk, fortified
foods, etc. Vitamin D is required to maintain serum calcium homeostasis, and or
bone metabolism [2].
The molecular structure of Vitamin D3 has a close
resemablnce to that of steroid hormones such as astradiol, cortisol, and
aldosterone – and it is referred to by researchers as a secosteroid hormone. It
is one of the foremost regulating factors for calcium homeostasis. In order to
function within the body, vitamin D3 is reduced to its metabolite 1α
25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Then, it functions in sync with vitamin D receptors
found in almost every tissue type and cells in the body to bring out the
optimum impact of vitamin D.
Vitamin D deficiency is a global health issue that afflicts
about 1 billion people worldwide, while 50% of the population has vitamin D
insufficiency. Vitamin D deficiency may be related to populations who have
limited sun exposure due to geographical location, higher skin melanin content.
80% of adults in India are Vitamin D deficient. 96% of the elderly population
in India is Vitamin D deficient [1].
Inadequate exposure to sunlight is one of the major causes
of vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency can also result
from several other causes like decreased dietary intake and or absorption,
decreased endogenous synthesis, and increased catabolic metabolism.
Sufficient vitamin D is required for optimal health. It is a
versatile vitamin with multiple action. Several studies have shown positive and
potential effects of Vitamin D3 on several bone diseases, muscle weakness, more
than a dozen types of internal cancers, multiple sclerosis, and type 1 diabetes
mellitus.
Learn
Unived Vegan D3 is a formulation of Vitamin D3 sourced from
plant-based lichens a unique plant species and MCT 70% from pure coconut oil.
Unived’s Vegan D3 is made using 2000 I.U. of vegan vitamin D3, which readily
bonds with vitamin D receptors and effectively maximizes calcium absorption
unlike vitamin D2 supplements which has less affininty for vitamin D receptor.
Vitamin D3 is approximately 87% more potent in raising and
maintaining vitamin D concentrations and produces 2 to 3-fold greater storage
of Vitamin D than vitamin D2.
MCT 70% from pure conouts aids in transport and absorption
of vitamin D3 in the body ensuring optimal absorption into the bloodstream for
effective results.
Mode of Action:
Vitamin D exerts its mechanism of action by binding to the
vitamin D receptor, a hormone receptor present at the nucleus inside the
cell. Vitamin D receptors are present in
the small intestine, colon, T and B lymphocytes, mononuclear cells, brain, and
skin. Thus it elucidates a wide range of action
- It stimulates intestinal calcium and phosphorus absorption
[2]. - May help increase muscle strength by preserving muscle
fibres, which in turn helps to prevent falls [4]. - Vitamin D metabolites act on multiple domains of
cardiovascular function including those related to inflammation, and thrombosis
[3]. - It stimulates nitric oxide (NO) production protects against
oxidative stress and prevents endothelial apoptosis [3]. - Vitamin D and its analogs consistently suppress
pro-inflammatory cytokines and increase anti-inflammatory cytokines [3]. - Vitamin D also plays a role in regulating immune function.
It induces B cell proliferation and the secretion of immunoglobulins E and M,
leading to the formation of memory B cells [3].
References:
1. Sizar O, Khare S, Goyal A, et al. Vitamin D Deficiency.
[Updated 2022 Jul 27]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL):
StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532266/
2. Chauhan K, Shahrokhi M, Huecker MR. Vitamin D. [Updated
2022 Sep 9]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls
Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441912/
3. Wang, Hanmin, et al. "Vitamin D and chronic
diseases." Aging and disease 8.3 (2017): 346.
4. Zhang, Ran, and Declan P. Naughton. "Vitamin D in
health and disease: current perspectives." Nutrition journal 9.1 (2010):
1-13.