Cholecalciferol Benefits (Vitamin D3)

Cholecalciferol Molecular Structure

Cholecalciferol or Vitamin D3 has many amazing health benefits, but it is not really a vitamin at all. It is actually classified as a neurohormone due to its pleiotropic biologic activity. Due to our increasingly indoor lifestyles, Vitamin D deficiency is occurring in epidemic proportion. Further exacerbating the epidemic is the use of sunscreens, which can decrease Vitamin D levels by up to 50%. Vitamin D is created from cholesterol when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Thus, if you are taking any kind of cholesterol lowering drug you are at risk for Vitamin D deficiency. Given modern society’s rampant epidemic of Vitamin D deficiency, anyone suffering from any kind of chronic illness should have their levels checked. You should know that Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) benefits can be compromised by some drugs and substances, so be sure to read my Important Notes below.

The Health Benefits of Vitamin D3:

AGING

• Levels decline with the aging process. Maintenance of proper Vitamin D levels may delay certain aspects of the Aging Process.
• May inhibit the age-related shortening of Telomeres.

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

• Anemia can result from deficiency.
• By stimulating the deposition of Calcium in Bones instead of Arteries, it helps to prevent Atherosclerosis.
• May prevent Congestive Heart Failure.
• May prevent Heart Attack.
• Can alleviate Hypertension (High Blood Pressure).
• May prevent Preeclampsia.
• Helps to prevent Intermittent Claudication.
• May prevent Stroke.
• Can increase High Density Lipoprotein (HDL Cholesterol).

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

• Celiac Disease patients have been found to be deficient in Vitamin D, thus supplementation is of benefit.
• May prevent Colitis.
• Useful in the treatment of Crohn’s Disease as deficiency is common in these patients.

EXCRETORY SYSTEM

• Diabetic Nephropathy may be prevented by supplementation.
• Can reduce proteinuria in Focal Glomerulonephritis patients.

HAIR

• May stimulate Hair growth and may be useful in the treatment of Hair Loss.

HEARING & VISION

• Can improve Hearing in some cases of Deafness by inhibiting Bone Loss from bones within the Ear.
• Some Otosclerosis patients have been found to be deficient and it is strongly speculated that Vitamin D deficiency is the cause of Otosclerosis.
• Helps prevent Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD).
• May alleviate allergic Conjunctivitis.
• Eyesight in Retinitis Pigmentosa patients may improve with supplementation.
• May prevent Short-Sightedness.

IMMUNE SYSTEM

• Helps prevent Autoimmune Disease including:

▪ Lupus Erythematosus
▪ Polymyalgia Rheumatica
▪ Sjogren Syndrome

• Helps prevent/treat Bacterial and Viral infections including:

▪ Common Cold
▪ Hepatitis C
▪ Influenza
▪ Staphylococcus aureus
▪ Tuberculosis

• Stimulates Apoptosis (pre-programmed cell death) of Cancer cells.
• Useful in the prevention/treatment of certain types of Cancer including:

▪ Breast
▪ Cervical
▪ Colon
▪ Endometrial
▪ Glioblastoma Multiforme
▪ Gliomas
▪ Kidney
▪ Leiomyoma
▪ Leukemia
▪ Liver
▪ Lung
▪ Lymphoma
▪ Melanoma
▪ Multiple Myeloma
▪ Myelodysplasia
▪ Ovarian
▪ Pancreatic
▪ Prostate
▪ Squamous Cell Carcinoma
▪ Thyroid

• Helps prevent/treat Allergies.
• Enhances Immune System function.
• Can inhibits Inflammation.
• Helps enhances Macrophage activity.
• May stimulate Monocyte production.
• Helps to activate NK Lymphocytes (Natural Killer Cells).
• Enhances the function of Suppressor T-Cells.
• Enhances Stem cell production/function.
• Stimulates the production of Cathelicidin which is required for defense against Bacterial Organisms.
• May stimulate Interleukin 4 (IL4) production.
• Can inhibit the pro-inflammatory action of Interleukin 6 (IL6).
• Can lower elevated C-Reactive Protein levels.
• May inhibit the Activation of Nuclear Factor-Kappa B.

METABOLISM

• Vitamin D is a powerful fat-soluble Antioxidant.
• Athletic Performance may be improved by supplementation.
• Can lower elevated Blood Sugar.
• Many Chronic Fatigue sufferers have been found to be deficient.
• Deficiency during infancy may be linked to Diabetes Mellitus Type 1.
• Deficiency increases risk factors for developing Diabetes Mellitus Type 2.
• Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver may be improved by supplementation.
• Often prescribed for persons afflicted with Hypoparathyroidism.
• Insulin Resistance may be prevented by supplementation.
• Due to its ability to suppress the secretion of Leptin, it may help to prevent Obesity.
• Thyroiditis can occur as a result of deficiency.
• May enhance the production of Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1).
• Insulin production may be dependent on Vitamin D.
• May increase Adiponectin levels.

MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM

• Useful in the treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis by help to counteract autoimmunity that occurs with Ankylosing Spondylitis. It also reduces the risk of Osteoporosis in Ankylosing Spondylitis patients.
• Arthralgia may occur as a result of deficiency.
• An underlying cause of Low Backache may be related to low levels.
• Stimulates Bone Growth and prevents Osteoporosis by regulating Calcium:Phosphorus balance and by activating Osteoblasts.
• Proper Cartilage formation and function are dependent on adequate levels.
• Fibromyalgia patients often exhibit low levels.
• Promotes the healing of Fractures.
• Muscle Pain can result from deficiency.
• Can improve Muscle Strength.
• Deficiency can cause Muscle Weakness and Muscle Atrophy.
• May prevent Muscular Dystrophy and retard its progression.
• Osteoarthritis may be prevented/treated by supplementation. People with the highest overall lifetime levels of Vitamin D have the lowest incidence of Osteoarthritis.
• Activates Osteoblasts and increases Osteocalcin levels.
• Osteomalacia and Rickets are both prevented and cured by supplementation.
• Both Psoriatic and Rheumatoid Arthritis may be prevented/treated by supplementation.

NERVOUS SYSTEM

• Attention Span may be increased by supplementation.
• It is speculated that deficiency during pregnancy is a major risk factor for Autism.
• Stimulates the regeneration of Axons.
• Helps prevent both Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Depression can be caused by low levels.
• Seizures in Epilepsy patients may be reduced by supplementation.
• Headaches can be caused by deficiency.
• May help to prevent Memory Impairment.
• Inflammation in Microglia may be inhibited by Vitamin D due to its ability to suppress pro- inflammatory Cytokines including Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-a) and Interleukin 6 (IL6).
• When combined with Calcium, may treat Migraines.
• Mood and Mood Disorders may be improved by supplementation.
• Deficiency during puberty may be a risk factor for Multiple Sclerosis.
• Applied topically, may treat the pain associated with post-herpetic Neuralgia.
• The metabolite Calcitriol may help to prevent Parkinson’s Disease due to its ability to inhibit the toxic effects of 6-Hydroxydopamine.
• May alleviate Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
• Low levels during Pregnancy may be a risk factor for Schizophrenia in offspring.
• May enhance recovery from Spinal Cord injury.
• Can stimulate Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) production.

ORAL HEALTH

• Helps to prevent Gingivitis.
• By improving the body’s use of Calcium, helps reduce Alveolar Bone loss in patients with Periodontal Disease.
• Can prevent the loss of Teeth by facilitating the incorporation of Calcium into the Teeth.
• May prevent Tooth Decay.
• May facilitate enhanced mineralization of Tooth Enamel.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

• Asthma may be alleviated by supplementation.
• Useful in the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
• Helps improve Lung function.
• May help prevent Respiratory Tract Infections.
• Pneumonia may be prevented by supplementation.

SEXUAL SYSTEM (Female)

• Female Infertility can result from deficiency.
• Combined with Calcium, may be useful in the treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
• During Pregnancy, Women have an increased requirement for Vitamin D. Women who are deficient during pregnancy have an increased risk of bearing offspring with the following health conditions:

▪ Low birth weight
▪ Impaired development of Teeth
▪ Impaired Bone development
▪ Diabetes Mellitus Type 1
▪ Multiple Sclerosis
▪ Manic Depression

• Combined with Calcium and Magnesium, may eliminate symptoms of Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS).
• Vaginal Atrophy may be prevented by supplementation.
• May prevent Vaginitis.

SEXUAL SYSTEM (Male)

• Male Infertility can result from deficiency.
• May prevent Prostatitis.
• Testosterone production may be enhanced by supplementation.
• Excessive production of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is linked to deficiency.

SKIN

• Useful in the treatment of Acne.
• Useful in the treatment of Burns as Burn patients may not be able to produce sufficient Vitamin D from the sun.
• Erythema may be prevented by supplementation.
• By increasing the production of Cathelicidin, may prevent Skin infections in Eczema patients.
• People who suffer from chronic Hives often have low levels.
• May increase the growth of Keratinocytes and inhibits the ability of UV-B to damage Keratinocytes.
• Applied topically, improves Skin lesions associated with Psoriasis. Psoriasis patients often have low levels.
• May help to prevent Sunburn.
• Applied topically may restore Skin pigmentation in Vitiligo patients.
• Warts may be eliminated by topical application.
• Facilitates the healing of Wounds.

Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) Health Benefits

USAGE

In my consulting practice most clients who come to me have sub-optimal levels of Vitamin D. Generally, most people can take 5,000iu of Vitamin D without the need for blood testing. If you already take Vitamin D you should have your levels checked before increasing your dosage. People in good health should shoot for a Vitamin D level of around 60. If you have Cancer or any other chronic illness higher levels of 80-100 may be warranted. For proper absorption Vitamin D must be mixed with dietary fats and bile. I recommend taking your Vitamin D in one single dose following the largest fat containing meal of the day. Dosing this way can improve absorption by 50%. The best form of this vitamin to take are those that come in the form of a soft-gel. But for those who have trouble with swallowing pills I have also listed a powder form. The half-life of Vitamin D is quite long, 62 days on average, so it takes about three months for blood levels to stabilize after a change in dosage. I recommend bi-annual testing at the end of September and March. Testing on this schedule will tell you what your levels are after a summer of sun exposure and then again after a long dark winter.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• The following substances block or impair the absorption and or utilization of Vitamin D:

▪ Alcohol
▪ Antacids
▪ Chitosan
▪ Cholestyramine
▪ Dilantin
▪ H2 Receptor Antagonists
▪ HIV Protease Inhibitors
▪ Mineral Oil
▪ Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs)
▪ Olestra
▪ Phosphorus
▪ Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
▪ Rifampin
▪ Sunscreen

• Vitamin A can interfere with some of the functions of Vitamin D.
• The body’s ability to absorb Vitamin D declines with age, which makes testing for seniors critical if they wish to maintain optimal levels.
• Obesity interferes with the body’s ability to manufacture Vitamin D through exposure to Sunlight.