Benefits of Vitamin D3 :
Vitamin D3 promotes calcium’s absorption and functions for teen’s and children’s healthy teeth and bones, prevents loss of bone mass, and treats bone disorders.
It protects against adult and elderly muscle weakness and immune system issues, and lowers the risk of colon, breast, and prostate cancers. Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis is improved with vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 prevents/treats rickets, post menopausal osteoporosis. The vitamin also treats hypoglycemia, Multiple Sclerosis and the development of Type 1 diabetes.
Mechanism of action :
After its conversion from Vitamin D3, calcitriol exerts its effects on the body by binding to and activating vitamin D receptors (VDRs), which are located in the nuclei of target cells. Once activated, VDRs can function as transcription factors that bind to cellular DNA and control gene expression, ultimately triggering a biological response.
The major physiological role of vitamin D is to facilitate the intestinal absorption of calcium, by stimulating the expression of proteins involved in calcium transport. Vitamin D also plays a crucial role in providing the proper balance of minerals necessary for bone growth and function. However, it turns out that VDRs are present in the cells of most organs in the body, suggesting that there is wide diversity in the types of responses that vitamin D3 can promote.
Side Effects of Vitamin D3 Supplements :
If considering vitamin D3 supplements, do so only under direction of your doctor. Vitamin D3 overdose is possible and dangerous. Remember that the sun does provide everyone with a certain amount of daily vitamin D3.
If any of these occur, stop taking vitamin D3 and call a doctor at once for any of these serious side effects : dry mouth or a metallic tastepain in your lower backurinating more than usualfast, slow, or uneven heart rateslow growth (in a child taking vitamin D3)bone pain, muscle weakness, loss of heightnausea, constipation, loss of appetite, weight lossweakness, drowsiness, changes in behaviorincreased thirst
To Avoid – While Taking Vitamin D3 Supplements :While taking vitamin D3, avoid other vitamin or mineral supplements unless your doctor tells you to. It is also important to avoid using antacids without doctor’s advice. If using antacid, only use the specific type your doctor recommends. Antacids different minerals can cause serious side effects if taken together.ToxicityVitamin D3 toxicity is not common and difficult to achieve. This is because: 1) there are few natural dietary sources of vitamin D and even usual fortified sources contain relatively small amounts. 2) 25-OH cholecalciferol (the form stored by the body after conversion in the liver) has only weak hormonal activity. (Again, vitamin D is a hormone, not a vitamin.) The conversion to the active hormone, 1, 25-OH cholecalciferol, is an internally regulated process.
Storage :
Store at room temperature. Protect from heat , light and moisture. Keep away from reach of children.