Description
Unived Vegan D3 is a high quality and vegan vitamin D3 derived from the only plant-based vegan source available today – Lichen – suspended in one of the healthiest fats on the planet MCT Oil powder. As vitamin D3 is a fat soluble vitamin, the natural fatty acids in coconut oil aid the transport of vitamin D3 into the bloodstream for fast and maximum absorption, leading to optimal results. Vitamin D3 helps you achieve optimum bone mineralisation, strong muscles and better immune, mental, heart and dental health.
Vegan D3 offers pure, unadulterated, non-GMO, vegan vitamin D3 that is free of contaminants and synthetic additives. Each serving of Vegan D3 contains 2000 I.U. of pure vitamin D3. Vegan D3 is 100% natural, vegetarian, and vegan.
Vitamin D3 VS Vitamin D2
Vitamin D supplements maybe in the form of D2 (ergocalciferol) or D3 (cholecalciferol).
Unived’s Vegan D3 is made using 2000 I.U. of vegan vitamin D3, which readily binds with vitamin D receptor and effectively maximizes calcium absorption. Among the two chemically distinct forms of vitamin D, vitamin D3 is proven to be more potent as compared with vitamin D2.[1]
- A study found the potency of vitamin D2 to be less than one-third that of vitamin D3.[2]
- Vitamin D2 has less affinity for VDR (vitamin D receptor), which are present in most major organs and muscles. Further, it has a shorter half-life than vitamin D3.[1] This means that, vitamin D3 stays in your body for a longer time whereas vitamin D2 is eliminated out of your body much sooner.
- D3 is approx. 87 percent more potent in raising and maintaining vitamin D concentrations and produces 2 to 3-fold greater storage of vitamin D than D2.[3]
MCT 70% from pure Coconuts
Coconut oil is one of the healthiest fats available, making it ideal for the transport and absorption of vitamin D3. Unived Vegan D3 is formulated with cold pressed extra virgin organic coconut oil, ensuring optimal absorption into the bloodstream of this fat-soluble vitamin for effective results.
Purity factor
Vitamin D supplements are available in two forms – ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). Cholecalciferol is the biologically more viable and active form of vitamin D. It is the form of vitamin D which your skin synthesizes when it absorbs and processes the UVB rays of the sun.
- Unived’s Vegan D3 offers vegan vitamin D3 the more effective and active from as compared with vitamin D2.
- Unived’s vitamin D3 is derived from lichens – the only non-animal and vegan plant based source available today.
- Each vitamin D serving contains 2000 I.U. of pure natural vegan vitamin D3 in cold pressed extra virgin organic coconut oil
Unived’s Vegan D3 is inspired by the encompassing nutritional relevance of vitamin D3 in the overall development of health all over the world. Although vitamin D3 most popularly contributes towards bone health, it also plays an important role in several other aspects of your health including brain health, cellular health, organ protection, supports muscle strength and certain psychological disorders.[5]
What is Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble substance necessary for the smooth working of several of the body’s physiological functions. Though it is most popularly known for its important role in bone heath, research has now revealed its relevance in overall health, prevention and cure of various ailments.
“Vitamin D is, without question, the miracle nutrient of the century.” Mike Adams, natural health researcher and author.
Functioning
Vitamin D has a unique functioning system as compared to other vitamins. In fact, it functions more like a hormone, impacting metabolic pathways, cellular functions, and the expression of myriad genes.[5]
The main function of vitamin D is to regulate the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in our bones and aid in inter-cellular communication throughout the body.[6] It also positively influences[7]:
- Immune system, helping you to fight infection
- Muscle function
- Cardiovascular function, for a healthy heart and circulation
- Respiratory system – for healthy lungs and airways
- Weight loss
- Brain development
- Anti-cancer therapy
Without adequate levels of vitamin D you are likely increasing your risk of diseases ranging from heart disease and Alzheimer’s to weak bones and diabetes.[8]
Vitamin D3
‘Vitamin D3 is essential for life in higher animals.’ Anthony Norman[9] D3 is the most natural form synthesized by human beings, when the sun’s UVB light strikes their skin.[10] The synthesis takes places photochemically with the help of provitamin D, 7-dehydrocholesterol, present in the epidermis or skin. A complex series of transformations of the provitamin result in the generation of Vitamin D3.[9]
The molecular structure of vitamin D3 has a close semblance to that of steroid hormones[9] – such as estradiol, cortisol, and aldosterone – and it is referred to by researchers as a secosteroid hormone.[5] It is one of the foremost regulating factors for calcium homeostasis.[9]
In order to function within your body vitamin D3 is reduced to its metabolites including 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (or 1,25-vitamin D3 for brevity).
The steroid hormone functions in sync with the vitamin D Receptors (VDR) found in almost every tissue type and cells in your body[10] to bring out the optimum impact of vitamin D on your bodily functioning.[9]
Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3
Researchers reveal vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol to be substantially more effective than vitamin D2 or ergocalciferol. The test of potency is determined on the basis of their ability to improve the serum 25(OH) D concentrations – that determine the nutritional levels of vitamin D in your body.[11]
- A study found the potency of vitamin D2 to be less than one-third that of vitamin D3.[2]
- Vitamin D2 has less affinity for VDR (vitamin D receptor) and shorter shelf life than vitamin D3.[1]
Unived’s Vegan D3 is made using 2000 I.U. of vitamin D3 in cold pressed extra virgin organic coconut oil, which readily binds with vitamin D receptors and effectively maximizes calcium absorption.
The Sunshine Vitamin
Sunshine vitamin is a popular connotation for vitamin D and is commonly believed to be available to everyone in abundance through sunlight. Yet, vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is among the most common medical conditions in the world.[5] In fact vitamin D deficiency is turning into a global epidemic with an estimated one billion people bearing insufficient levels.[12]
Reduced sunlight exposure due to factors such as clothing, sunscreens and glass shielding notably reduce if not completely stop the production of vitamin D3 in the skin.[13] The amount of vitamin D you get from exposing your bare skin to the sun depends on[14]:
- The time of day. Exposing your skin during the middle of the day produces more Vitamin D.
- Your location. If you live closer to the equator, it is easier to produce vitamin D throughout the year.
- Your skin color. People with darker skin make lesser vitamin D as compared with pale skinned individuals. Darker skin possesses natural sun protection (melanin) and requires at least three to five times longer exposure to make the same amount of vitamin D as compared to a white skin tone.[15]
- The more skin you expose the more vitamin D your body will produce.
- Change in latitude, season or time of day impacts the skin’s vitamin D production.[16]
- Season dramatically influences the cutaneous production of vitamin D3.[17] Very little vitamin D is produced in the skin during winter.[17]
- Low vitamin D status, as is it largely understood, may occur despite “more than adequate” sun exposure.[18]
Another factor that hampers the production of vitamin D is the numerous measures people take, to protect the skin from the sun as sun exposure is purported to have harmful effects on your skin. Few people know that a sunscreen (SPF 8) lowers the skin’s capacity to produce vitamin D3 by more than 95%.[17]
Deficiency
There is very little awareness about the importance of vitamin D and what they can do to avoid the numerous deficiency associated disorders, including heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis.
However, the largely unattended nutritious necessity of this vitamin is now coming to the fore since an increasing research reveals a paucity of this nutrient among a large population.[19]
References
1.Lisa Houghton & Reinhold Veith, ‘The case against ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) as a vitamin supplement1’2’, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2006, vol. 84 (4), pg. 694-7.
2. Heaney et al. in Anthony Norman, ‘From Vitamin D to Hormone D: Fundamentals of the vitamin D endocrine system essential for good health’, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Aug 2008, vol. 88(2), pg. 491S-499S.
3.Dr. Mercola, ‘If you take oral vitamin D you must avoid making this serious mistake’, 2 Feb 2012, articles.mercola.com.
4. Bruce Hollis et al., ‘Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy: Double blind, randomized clinical trial for safety and effectiveness ‘, Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, Oct 2011, vol. 26(10), pg. 2341-2357.
5. Michael Hollick, ‘The Vitamin D Solution: Book Excerpt’, Life Extension Magazine, September 2010.
6. ‘What is Vitamin D? What are the benefits of vitamin D?’ Nutrition/Diet, Medical News Today, 23 Oct 2013. www.medicalnewstoday.com.
7. ‘What is Vitamin D’, vitamindcouncil.org
8. Logan Bronwell, ‘The Overlooked Importance of Vitamin D Receptors’, Life Extension Magazine, August 2013.
9. Anthony Norman, ‘From Vitamin D to Hormone D: Fundamentals of the vitamin D endocrine system essential for good health’, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Aug 2008, vol. 88(2), pg. 491S-499S.
10. Rathish Nair & Arun Maseeh, ‘Vitamin D: The sunshine vitamin’, Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics, April-Jun 2012, vol. 3(2), pg. 118-126.
11. Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes in Anthony Norman, ‘From Vitamin D to Hormone D: Fundamentals of the vitamin D endocrine system essential for good health’, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Aug 2008, vol. 88(2), pg. 491S-499S.
12. Wacker M & Holick MF in Logan Bronwell, ‘The Overlooked Importance of Vitamin D Receptors’, Life Extension Magazine, Aug 2013.
13. Michael Hollick, ‘High prevalence of Vitamin D Inadequacy and Implications for health’, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Mar 2006, vol. 81(3), pg. 353-273.
14. ‘How do I get the Vitamin D my body needs’, vitamindcouncil.org
15. Clemens TL in Rathish Nair & Arun Maseeh, ‘Vitamin D: The sunshine Vitamin’, Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics, April-Jun 2012, vol. 3(2), pg. 118-126.
16. Hollick M & Chen T in Rathish Nair & Arun Maseeh, ‘Vitamin D: The sunshine vitamin’, Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics, Apr-Jun 2012, vol. 3(2), pg. 118-126.
17. Michael Hollick, ‘Sunlight and Vitamin D for bone health and prevention of autoimmune diseases, cancers and cardiovascular disease’, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Dec 2004, vol. 80(6), pg. 1678S-1688S.
18. N. Binkley et al., ‘Low Vitamin D status despite abundant sun exposure’, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Jun 2007, vol. 92(6), pg. 2130-2135.
19. Sumitra Deb Roy, ‘Vitamin D Deficiency rampant in population’, TNN, The Times of India, Apr 28, 2013.
20. Robert Heaney, ‘Vitamin D and Calcium Interactions, Functional Outcomes’, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,August 2008, vol. 88 (2), pg. 541S-544S.
21. Nutrient requirements and recommended dietary allowances for Indians’, 2009, National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research.
22. Eamon Laird et al., ‘Vitamin D and Bone Health; Potential Mechanisms’, Nutrients, 2010, vol. 2(7), pg. 693-724.
23. ‘Calcium’, Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet by Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health, USA.
24. ‘What Women Need to Know’, National Osteoporosis Foundation, nof.org.
25. Ann Prentice et al., ‘Lactation and Bone Development: Implications for the Calcium Requirements of Infants and Lactating Mothers’, Nutrition and Bone Development, Nestle Nutrition Workshop Series, 1999, vol. 4, Vevey/Lippincot – Raven Publishers.
26. Caroline Parkinson, ‘Pregnant Women Must Take Vitamin Supplements’, Health, BBC News, 4 July, 2010.
27. Nathan Gray, ‘Vitamin D may decrease pain for women with type 2 diabetes and depression’, Nutraingredients, 5 Dec 2013.
28. Antonino Lasco et al., ‘Improvement of Primary Dysmenorrhea caused by a single dose of Vitamin D: results of Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled study’, Archives of Internal Medicine, 2012, vol. 172(4), pg. 366-377.
29. Sophie Goodchild & Stephen Adams, ‘Top Surgeons call for all women to be given Vitamin D to cut breast cancer … as ballet dancers reveal they use pills to keep them strong’, Mail Online, 1 Dec 2013, www.dailymail.co.uk.
30. Winston Craig, ‘Health Effects of Vegan Diets’, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, May 2009, vol. 89 (5), pg. 1627S-1633S.
31. Terhi A O et al., ‘Dietary Intake of Vitamin D in premenopausal, healthy Vegans was insufficient to maintain Concentrations of Serum 25- hydroxyvitamin D, and Intact Parathyroid Hormone within normal ranges during the winter in Finland’, Journal of American Dietetic Association, Apr 2000, vol. 100(4), pg. 431-441.
32. ‘Vitamin D’, Dietary Supplement Factsheet, Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health.
33. Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D in ‘Calcium’ Supplement fact Sheet by Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health.
34. B. Hamilton, ‘Vitamin D and Human Skeletal Muscle’, Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, April 2010, vol. 20(2), pg. 182-190.
35. Tanya MH et al., ‘Vitamin D status relative to Diet, Lifestyle, Injury, and Illness and college Athletes’, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2011, vol. 43 (2), pg. 335–343.
36. John Lappe, ‘Calcium and Vitamin D Supplementation decreases incidence of stress fractures in female navy recruits’, Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, May 2008, vol. 23 (5), pg.741–749.
37. Caitlin Mason et al., ‘Vitamin D3 supplementation during weight loss: a double-blind randomized controlled trial 1,2,3’, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, May 2014, vol. 100., pg. 1213-1224.