Vitamin D

Please note the following referenced scientific research is for informational use only. The results reported below may not necessarily occur in all our customers. The information should not replace advice from your health care practitioner. This information should not be read to recommend or endorse any specific product.

Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that regulates calcium levels in the body and is vital for strong and healthy bones. Vitamin D can be consumed from dietary sources or supplements and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) can also be made in the body, it is synthesised in the skin through exposure to sunlight. Unlike many other vitamins, vitamin D can be ingested through the diet and produced and stored in the body, although the production in the body is reliant on adequate exposure to sunlight.

Bone Health

  • Vitamin D is most well known in the maintenance of bone health, where it plays a role in regulating calcium and phosphorus homeostasis (Braun & Cohen 2015, 1130). 

  • Clinical studies show that vitamin D supplementation improves the quality and quantity of bone (Braun & Cohen 2015, 1130).

  • Vitamin D helps to maintain bone health by promoting bone resorption (Linus Pauling Institute 2020). 

  • Adequate vitamin D is essential to support bone strength and reduce the risk of fracture (Laird et al. 2010).

Immune System

  • There are a number of vitamin D receptors expressed by most cells of the immune system where it acts to enhance the body’s immune system (Aranow 2012). 

  • A vitamin D deficiency can compromise the integrity of the immune system and lead to unwanted immune responses for example autoimmunity conditions (Linus Pauling Institute 2020). 

  • Vitamin D enhances and supports the immune system’s response to both bacterial and viral agents via differentiation and immune response activity (Brown et al. 1999).

References

  • Braun, L., and Cohen,Marc. 2015. Herbs & Natural Supplements An Evidence-based guide Volume 2. 4th ed. Australia: Elsevier.

  • Nowson, CA., Margerison, C. 2002. “Vitamin D intake and vitamin D status of Australians”. The Medical Journal of Australia, 177. 3: 149-152. 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2002.tb04702.x  

  •  Linus Pauling Institute. 2020. Micronutrient information center Vitamin D. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/vitamin-D 

  • Brown, AJ., Dusso, A., Slatopolsky, E. 1999. “Vitamin D.” The American Journal of Physiology, 277. 2 (Aug): 157-75. 10.1152/ajprenal.1999.277.2.F157

  • Laird, E., Ward, M., McSorley, E., Strain, JJ., Wallace, J. 2010. “Vitamin D and Bone Health; Potential Mechanisms.” Nutrients, 2. 7 (Jul): 693-724. 10.3390/nu2070693

  • Aranow, C. 2012. “Vitamin D and the immune system.” Journal of Investigative Medicine, 59. 6 (Aug): 881-886. 10.231/JIM.0b013e31821b8755