Puritan Pride Vitamin D

Puritan Pride Vitamin D

Not sure where to start
with immune health?

Then this is a great place to begin.
This content is intended as general information. We encourage you to explore the full Puritan's Pride's^® Immune Health offerings for product-specific benefits.

Vitamin D for Immune Health

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that can be obtained through the diet or synthesized in the skin upon exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D3, the form of vitamin D formed in the skin, is a potent and active form of the vitamin. Vitamin D2 is a vitamin D analog formed in plants, mushrooms and yeasts during photosynthesis. While vitamin D2 is sometimes used in food fortification, Puritan's Pride supplements provide the active form.

Vitamin D plays a regulatory role in the growth, differentiation, and proliferation of different types of white blood cells.^8** It is important to regulate these processes to maintain immune balance. Think of a thermostat set to 70 degrees.

When the temperature falls below 70 degrees the heat comes on but once the temperature is reached, the heat needs to turn off or else the temperature will continue to rise indefinitely. The same delicate balance is needed for our immune systems to maintain optimal health.

The T and B cells of the adaptive immune system are both regulated by vitamin D.^** Many cells of the innate immune response also require vitamin D such as monocytes which need it to mature properly.^** Adequate concentrations of vitamin D are also necessary for the synthesis of important proteins with immune-fighting properties.^8**

Why Supplement with Vitamin D?

As many as 96% of Americans do not get enough vitamin D from food alone.⁹

Did you know, Vitamin D is considered a nutrient of public health concern? This is because many Americas are not getting enough vitamin D in their diets and low intakes can affect overall health.

This is partly because natural food sources of vitamin D are limited and not always appealing. They include cod liver oil, liver and some types of fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon, and sardines. In the US, milk but not all dairy products, is fortified with vitamin D. It is important to check the label on products like cheese and yogurt to see if they were made with fortified milk.

The RDA for vitamin D is currently 15-20 mcg/day depending on age.

However, this level was established based on the amount of vitamin D needed to maintain bone health.^** Many health experts argue that higher intakes of vitamin D are necessary for overall optimal health. A daily intake of 50 mcg (2,000 IU) is frequently recommended for most healthy adults.¹²

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Unlike most vitamins that can only be obtained from the diet, our bodies produce vitamin D when the skin is exposed to sunlight. When evaluating if sun exposure is enough to meet your daily vitamin D needs, consider the following factors.

AGE

As we age, the skin produces vitamin D less efficiently. Vitamin D absorption may also decrease with age, making vitamin D supplementation especially beneficial for older individuals.

SUNSCREEN

When used as directed, a sunscreen graded SPF-10 will block 90% of UVB radiation reaching the skin.10 UVB radiation is needed to stimulate production of vitamin D.

LOCATION

Residents of northern climates may have inadequate exposure to sunlight in order to produce sufficient vitamin D, especially during the winter months.

CLOTHING

Wearing protective clothing such as hats and long sleeves inhibits the body's natural production
of vitamin D.

SUN INTENSITY

The stimulation of vitamin D production in skin can depend on the intensity of the sun's UVB rays. When you are shorter than your shadow, UVB radiation is often not strong enough to produce vitamin D.¹¹ Air pollution and the presence of clouds can also have a major impact on the intensity of UVB radiation that reaches the ground.

• References
• 8. Gropper SS, Smith JL, Groff, JL. Fifth edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning; 2009.
• 9. Dickinson A, MacKay D. Nutr J. 2014;13:14.
• 10. Council on Environmental Health, Section on Dermatology, Balk SJ. Pediatrics. 2011 Mar;127(3):588-97.
• 11. Gorham E. Vitamin D wiki website. October 2015. Accessed July 2, 2020. https://vitamindwiki.com/The+Shadow+Rule+%E2%80%93+you+make+Vitamin+D+when+you+are+taller+than+your+shadow+%E2%80%93+1992
• 12. Calder PC, et al. Nutrients. 2020;12(4):1181.

What is the Immune System?

Every day, your body is bombarded by foreign substances from the outside world. Credit card pin pads, bathroom faucets, cell phones, literally everything you touch is covered in tiny microorganisms. Not all microorganisms are bad, in fact there are trillions of bacteria found in and on the human body which cause no harm, or in some cases are even beneficial to human health.

However, there are also less favorable microorganisms found in the environment. The main function of your immune system is to protect you from external threats and keep you healthy.

Think of your immune system as your body's security team, trained to recognize and remove any threats while protecting your body's peaceful residents.

The first line of defense is to restrict the entry of unwanted foreign materials. The skin creates an excellent physical barrier but unwanted guests may still be inhaled or ingested. The acidity of stomach acid, mucosal membranes, and the presence of antibodies in saliva and tears all further help to prevent the entry of these substances into the body.

Four Main Functions
of the Immune System

Physical barriers keep pathogens from entering the body – e.g. skin, mucosa layer of GI tract, antibodies in saliva, pH of stomach

If substances get through the exclusion barrier, they need to be recognized as non-self

Elimination only of unwanted threats, not self or friendly bacteria

Immune memories allow for fast recognition and elimination of repeat offenders

Puritan Pride Vitamin D

Source: https://www.puritan.com/vitamin-d-326/vitamin-d3-10000-iu-035872

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Low Vitamin D Causes

Low Vitamin D Causes

• Definition
  • What Is Vitamin D Deficiency?
• Symptoms
  • What Are Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency?
• Causes
  • What Causes Vitamin D Deficiency?
• Diagnosis
  • How Is Vitamin D Deficiency Diagnosed?
• Treatment
  • What Is the Treatment for Vitamin D Deficiency?
• Complications
  • What Are Complications of Vitamin D Deficiency?
• Prevention
  • How Do You Prevent Vitamin D Deficiency?
• Guide
  • What Happens When Your Vitamin D Is Low? Topic Guide

What Is Vitamin D Deficiency?

Vitamin D deficiency can cause weakness, bone pain, fatigue and even cancer in some cases. Luckily, vitamin D supplements are cheap and common and can cure the condition in many cases.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps the body absorb dietary calcium and phosphorus from the intestines and suppresses the release of parathyroid hormone, a hormone that causes bone resorption. This serves to keep the bones healthy. Vitamin D is also believed to improve muscle and immune function.

Vitamin D is made in the skin when it is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D is also naturally occurring in certain foods such as fatty fish, cod liver oil, and eggs. It is also found on fortified foods such as cow's milk.

Low levels of vitamin D are referred to as vitamin D deficiency.

What Are Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency?

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include:

• Bone pain
• Muscle weakness
• Muscle aches or cramps
• Fatigue
• Cognitive impairment in older adults
• Severe asthma in children
• Cancer

What Causes Vitamin D Deficiency?

Vitamin D deficiency may be caused by:

• Low levels of vitamin D in the diet along with inadequate sun exposure
  • Human breast milk contains low levels of vitamin D, and most infant formulas do not contain adequate vitamin D
  • Older adults often do not eat enough vitamin D-rich foods, and when they do, absorption may be limited
  • Exposure to the sun is not recommended as a source of vitamin D for infants and children because of the potential risks of skin cancer
• Certain conditions that result in an inability to absorb vitamin D from the intestines
  • Celiac disease
  • Crohn's disease
  • Cystic fibrosis
• Surgery that removes or bypasses portions of the stomach or intestines such as gastric bypass
• An inability to process vitamin D due to kidney or liver disease
• Certain medications
  • Laxatives
  • Steroids
  • Weight loss medications
  • Cholesterol-lowering drugs
  • Anti-seizure medications
  • Tuberculosis medication

QUESTION

Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See Answer

How Is Vitamin D Deficiency Diagnosed?

Vitamin D deficiency is diagnosed with a blood test called 25-hydroxyvitamin D or 25(OH)D (OH = hydroxy, D = vitamin D).

What Is the Treatment for Vitamin D Deficiency?

Treatment for vitamin D deficiency includes:

• Vitamin D supplements
  • Ergocalciferol (vitamin D2)
  • Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) - vitamin D3 is usually recommended because it is the naturally occurring form of the vitamin and it may raise vitamin D levels more effectively
• The recommended dose of vitamin D depends upon the nature and severity of the vitamin D deficiency
• Additional supplements
  • Calcium - 1000 mg of calcium per day for premenopausal women and men and 1200 mg per day for postmenopausal women

Foods that are good sources of vitamin D include:

• Seafood
• Trout
• Salmon
• Sardines
• Tuna
• Meat and poultry
• Beef liver
• Chicken breast
• Ground beef
• Vegetables
• Mushrooms – white and portabella
• Dairy products
• Milk, vitamin D fortified
• Cheddar cheese
• Other
• Cod liver oil
• Plant-based milks (e.g. soy, almond, oat), vitamin D fortified
• Eggs
• Ready-to-eat cereals, vitamin D fortified

Exposure to sunlight is also another source for vitamin D but too much sun exposure can lead to sunburns, premature skin aging, eye damage, heat exhaustion or heat stroke, or skin cancer. Talk to your doctor about how much sun exposure you may need and how to get exposure safely.

What Are Complications of Vitamin D Deficiency?

Complications of vitamin D deficiency include:

• Low blood calcium (hypocalcemia)
• Low blood phosphate (hypophosphatemia)
• Rickets (softening of the bones during childhood)
• Osteomalacia (softening of the bones in adults)
• Decreased bone density (osteopenia or osteoporosis)
• Elevated parathyroid hormone (which accelerates bone resorption)
• Increased risk of falls that may result in fractures

How Do You Prevent Vitamin D Deficiency?

Prevention of vitamin D deficiency depends upon a person's skin color, sun exposure (which can be affected by the season and where a person lives), diet, and underlying medical conditions.

• Adults may be advised to take a supplement of 800 IU (20 micrograms) of vitamin D daily. Older people confined indoors may need higher doses.
• Infants and children may be advised to take a vitamin D supplement containing 400 IU (10 micrograms) of vitamin D, which included in most nonprescription infant multivitamin drops.
• Exposure to sunlight is also another source for vitamin D. Talk to your doctor about how much sun exposure you may need and how to get exposure safely.

Reviewed on 8/31/2020

References

Medscape Medical Reference

Low Vitamin D Causes

Source: https://www.emedicinehealth.com/what_happens_when_your_vitamin_d_is_low/article_em.htm

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