Vital for building strong and healthy bones, vitamin D is our ‘sunshine’ vitamin because the body obtains this essential vitamin from the sun’s UV rays. With increased awareness of the sun’s harmful effects, and steps to reduce our exposure, it is becoming evident that more and more people have low vitamin D levels.1

Nutra-Life Vitamin D3 1000 IU is a high strength, high absorption complex formula also containing the bone support nutrients boron, selenium and vitamin E. The 1000 IU daily dose of vitamin D has been shown to reduce fracture risk in the elderly2.

Vitamin D3 1000 IU

Ingredients
Each soft gel capsule provides:

• Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3 1000 IU) 25 µg
• Selenium (as Selenomethionine) 50 µg
• Boron (as Borax) 1 mg
• d-alpha Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E 50 IU) 33.6 mg
• Contains no addedwheat, gluten, dairy, egg, fish, artificial colours, flavours, sweeteners, yeast.
• Vitamin D3 1000 IU

Key product benefits:

• Build strong and healthy bones
• Active D3 form of vitamin D
• 1000 IU per day dose shown to help reduce fracture risk in the elderly2
• Promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphate
• Contains the bone support nutrients Boron, Selenium and vitamin E
• Improves muscle strength in the elderly to help reduce risk of falls
• Maximum absorption formula

Plus bone nutrients Boron, Selenium and vitamin E
Boron improves the development and maintenance of bone tissue and activates vitamin D through its action in the kidney

Selenium assists with the formation of bone and the absorption of vitamin D

Vitamin E is included to assist free radical scavenging, and both vitamin E and selenium are needed to create the intracellular antioxidant glutathione, important for bone density.

Who is at risk of having low vitamin D levels?
Those who regularly avoid sunlight may be at risk of low vitamin D levels. At-risk groups include:

• The elderly
• Those who are house bound or in residential care
• Naturally dark-skinned people
• Those who are obese
• Those who cover their skin for cultural or religious reasons
• Babies of vitamin D deficient mothers

Low vitamin D levels or deficiency in vitamin D can lead to problems such as osteoporotic fractures, bone & jont,falls, muscle & bone weakness or difficulty walking.

Vitamin D3 1000 IU

How is vitamin D formed in the body?
Very little vitamin D is found naturally in food sources, with the majority of vitamin D coming from the sun’s UV B rays.

Sunlight activates vitamin D3 from the cholesterol located in the skin. This is then converted in the liver and processed by the kidney to help maintain calcium balance in the body.

As we age, our body’s ability to convert vitamin D in the skin declines.

Ongoing research
Much research has been done on vitamin D in the body and its role in bone health and reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Recently, an understanding of the growing number of people in the Western with low levels of vitamin D has prompted more research, which has shown vitamin D’s wider health benefits for men and women.

For more information on the latest research, or to speak with a Naturopath, contact our Natural Health Advisors on 0800 268 872

References

1. Cancer Society of New Zealand. Position Statement: Risks and Benefits of Sunexposure in New Zealand 2005.
2. Australia and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society, Endocrine Society of Australia and Osteoporosis Australia. Vitamin D and adult bone health in Australia and New Zealand: a position statement. Med J Aust 2005; 182: 281-285.

Mechanism of Action
Due to the perils of too much sunlight, concerns have been raised about a decrease in Vitamin D levels particularly in at-risk groups. Vitamin D is specifically reknowned for its ability to increase Calcium absorption thus having a positive impact on bone health. However a deficiency of Vitamin D may also impact on immune function, mood and birth weight. Alongside Calcium, Vitamin D is considered one of the pregnancy “Big 3” together with folic acid and omega 3-fatty acids.

Research on Omega 3 provides beneficial effects on bone metabolism and integrity through a variety of biochemical mechanisms while concomitantly increasing Calcium absorption, bone Calcium and bone density.

Watch the video about Guidelines for Vitamin D During Winter.

Who needs it?
Vitamin D deficiency is more common in strict vegetarians (who avoid vitamin D-fortified dairy foods), dark-skinned people, alcoholics, and people suffering intestinal malabsorption disorders such as celiac disease).