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.
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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.
