Albuquerque, NM -- Vitamin D is for healthy bones, skin, hair, muscle, immunity, and more! Vitamin D injectable is available at the Injection and Infusion Clinic.
Have you been feeling fatigued lately for no apparent reason? Do you have muscle and bone pain? There are a lot of reasons you are feeling this way. For one, you may be suffering from Vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin therapy can correct Vitamin D deficiency. For more information on injection therapy, visit our website at the Injection and Infusion Clinic of ABQ.
Vitamin D, called calciferol, is a fat-soluble vitamin. Your body produces Vitamin D when ultraviolet rays from sunlight hit your skin. Some foods and supplements contain Vitamin D too. It aids your body in absorbing calcium to grow and strengthen your bones.
The two forms of Vitamin D are D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol). If taken by mouth, the small intestines absorb them, and they go into your bloodstream. The absorption isn’t affected by obesity or aging.
You may have Vitamin D deficiency if you are not getting enough of it from various sources.
Topics
What are the sources of Vitamin D?
The recommended daily value of Vitamin D for adults is 20 mcg or 800 IU. It can come from sun exposure, some foods, and dietary supplements.
- Sun exposure: The body produces Vitamin D3 when ultraviolet (UV) B rays of sunlight penetrate your skin. People with dark skin and the elderly are less able to process Vitamins from sunlight.
Some experts suggest it takes sun exposure of 5 to 30 minutes to get enough Vitamin D synthesis. You can sunbathe between 10 AM and 4 PM at least twice a week, without sunscreen.
Another study suggests sun exposure depends on the season and skin color. For fair-skinned people, 8-15 minutes is enough to get enough Vitamin D. It takes longer for dark-skinned people.
- You can find Vitamin D in some foods. Only a few foods contain Vitamin D. It comes from fatty fish, egg yolks, cheese, mushrooms, and beef liver. Other sources fortified with Vitamin D include milk, cereals, margarine, orange juice, and yogurt.
- Supplements containing VitaminsD2 and D3 can be beneficial. The metabolism of both D vitamins is almost the same. But studies show D3 increases serum (OH)D levels more than D2.
The link between Vitamin D to various cancers
According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, there is not enough evidence to assess the balance of benefits and harm of multivitamins in cancer prevention. The efficacy of Vitamin D as an anti-cancer supplement needs further studies.
Researchers conducted various studies to investigate the link of Vitamin D to different cancers. Conclusions derived from multiple studies have conflicting findings.
- Vitamin D treats breast cancer: Researchers conducted a clinical trial called Women’s Health Initiative. A total of 36,282 postmenopausal women received 400 IU Vitamin D3 and 1,000 mg of calcium daily for seven years. The clinical trial reveals thD3 and calcium supplements didn’t reduce the incidence of breast cancer.
A separate study investigated the same women 4.9 years after the initial clinical trial. The study reveals an 18% lower risk of breast cancer for the women who continued to take Vitamin D and calcium. But the study also discovers a negative result. Women who took higher doses of Vitamin D at the start of the clinical trial had a 28% higher risk of breast cancer.
- Vitamin D and colorectal cancer: The same Women’s Health Initiative shows Vitamin D and calcium supplements had no effect on colorectal cancer. The VITAL trial found no connection between Vitamin D supplements and the risk of serrated polyps. It had no link to colorectal adenomas, too.
- Vitamin D and pancreatic cancer: Researchers investigated 12,205 men and women. They found variations of Vitamin D concentrations or 25(OH)D had different results. Vitamin D of 30 ng/m to 40 ng/ml didn’t reduce pancreatic cancer risk. But, concentrations above 40 ng/ml increased the risk of pancreatic cancer.
- Vitamin D and prostate cancer: There have been studies suggesting high levels of Vitamin D or 25(OH)D might increase prostate cancer risk. One of these studies is a meta-analysis of 21 related studies among men with prostate cancer. Higher levels of 25(OH)D indicate a 17% higher risk of prostate cancer .
However, Studies published state otherwise. These studies found no relationship between 25(OH)D levels and the risk of prostate cancer.
Researchers analyzed 19 prospective studies. It involved 13,462 men with prostate cancer and 20,261 men as a control group. The results reveal low levels of Vitamin D or Vitamin D deficiency didn’t increase prostate cancer risk. High levels of 25(OH)D didn’t mean a lower risk of prostate cancer.
Higher levels of 25(OH)D though was associated with 9% lower mortality rates from prostate and other cancers.
The link between Vitamin D to heart, muscle, and mental health
Does Vitamin D impact heart, muscle, and mental health? Like the association between Vitamin D and various cancers, there have been conflicting answers to this question.
- Heart health: Researchers conducted a systemic review and meta-analysis based on 19 relevant studies. They found a link between lower Vitamin D levels to increased risk of ischemic stroke. It includes myocardial infarction and early death with decreased 25(OD) D levels.
However, a separate study reveals monthly high-dose VitaminD supplement doesn’t prevent cardiovascular disease.
- Muscle health: Vitamin D supplements impact muscle strength and function in older adults. There is a consistent relationship between Vitamin D status and muscle function in frail older adults. Moreover, n A decline in muscle function found by researchers indicates a link to a Vitamin D deficiency.
Other studies reveal conflicting results. One of these studies is the case of 78 pre-frail elderly. They received Vitamin D3 or placebo every day for six months. Researchers found no difference in muscle strength and performance compared with the placebo group.
- Mental health: Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 14 observational studies among 31,424 adults. They concluded low Vitamin D levels are associated with depression.
However, a VITAL trial shows no evidence Vitamin D3 in adults prevents depression. There were no significant differences in the depressive incidents among two groups of participants after taking Vitamin D3 and placebo—the two groups were composed of people with no history of depression and recurrent depression.
No studies have yet tested the benefits of Vitamin D3 to depression. It applies to people with Vitamin D deficiency who are taking antidepressants.
What is Vitamin D deficiency?
Adequate Vitamin D is 50-125 nmol/l. The high level is 125 nmol/l and above, while the low level is 30 nmol/l and below.
About one billion people worldwide have Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin insufficiency affects an estimated 50% of the world’s population. In the US, 35% of adults are Vitamin D deficient.
There are cases where deficiency in Vitamin D may show no symptoms. A Vitamin D blood test may help confirm it.
What are the symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency?
Some of the symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency are bone and back problems, tiredness or fatigue and hair loss.
- Bone and back problems: Researchers from various studies connect Vitamin D deficiency to bone and back problems. Chronic low back pain was prevalent among Indians who were Vitamin D deficient. At the same time, bone pain was associated wi Vitamin D deficiency and secondary thyroid problems among Turkish immigrants in Germany showed bone pain was another symptom of the deficiencies.
Vitamin D deficiency in women with low bone mass showed back pain linked to the deficiency too. In comparison, researchers in another study found an association between low Vitamin D and bone mineral density. It resulted from the study among 1,436 Arab women aged 45-65 years old.
- Tiredness or fatigue: A study reveals a high prevalence of fatigue among 200 female nurses. Researchers noted 89% of nurses suffered from Vitamin D deficiency. The research shows a significant relationship between fatigue and Vitamin D deficiency. Another study also found 77.2% of participants with low Vitamin D experienced fatigue.
- Hair loss: Researchers attributed severe hair loss or alopecia areata to low VitaminD blood levels. Researchers found a connection between VitaminD deficiency and the risk of developing alopecia areata.
What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?
- Lack of VitaminD intake from various sources
- Malabsorption disorders such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and cystic fibrosis
- Limited sun exposure
What’s the best Vitamin D supplement - D2 or D3?
Your body absorbs vitamins D2 and D3 in your gut then into your bloodstream. Calcifediol is the chief VitaminD circulating in the blood. Calcifediol produced in the liver indicates your body’s VitaminD status.
D2 is found in plant sources, while D3 in animal sources. Plants receive UV-B from sunlight, which leads to the formation of D2 as plant oils. Plants include mushrooms, fungi, or yeast. Your liver metabolizes D2 into 25-hydroxyvitamin or 25(OH) D2.
Your skin forms D3 when UV-B from sunlight hits your skin. The compound is called 7-dehydrocholesterol in your skin. Your liver metabolizes D3 into 25-hydroxyvitamin or 25(OH) D3.
Between the two D vitamins, studies show Vitamin D3 is better than D3.
- Researchers investigated the efficacy and safety of high-dose intramuscular injections of D2 and D3. A total of 69 people with VitaminD deficiency took part in the 12-week study. The study reveals both D vitamins were well tolerated and safe at 300 000-IU boluses. However, the researchers found D3 was more potent than D2. They suggested administering Vitamin D3 boluses three times per year.
Researchers conducted a study of 32 female older adults with Vitamin D deficiency. D3 taken by mouth also showed twice as potent as D2 in increasing serum 25(OH)D.
- A systemic review and meta-analysis compared D2 and D3. It determined which D vitamins better impact the concentration of 25(OH)D in the body. The review found D3 had significant positive effects. It raised serum levels of 25(OH)D better than D2.
- D3 works better than D2 for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Researchers recruited participants with CKD from the University of Kansas Medical Center. In this first-ever randomized clinical study, the researchers observed D3 to be more superior than D2.
D3 raised serum level concentration of 25(OH)D during the therapy. They also noted a decrease in D3’s performance. It happened when D3 was discontinued when the participants reached a stable state. The researchers suggested D3 maintenance therapy may be needed to sustain the 25(OH)D level.
D3 performs better than D2 taken by mouth or injected intramuscularly. It’s effective, safe, and well-tolerated by people who are Vitamin D deficient. A study further reveals D2 has a shorter shelf life due to sensitivity to temperature changes.
However, studies on the stability of D2 and D3 in oil are lacking. Experts also debated the relevance to health of Vitamins D2 and D3 in oil.. At the moment, D2 and D3 vitamins benefit you in many ways. You can get both D vitamins from dietary supplements or fortified foods.
What are the side effects of Vitamin D therapy?
Vitamin D toxicity or hypervitaminosis is possible with the excessive intake of Vitamin D. It rarely happens. When it does, serum 25(OH)D levels are over 88 ng/ml. Toxicity causes hypercalcemia or excessive calcium in the blood. You may experience confusion, muscle weakness, vomiting, excessive thirst, and frequent urination. Severe cases can lead to bone pain and excess deposits of calcium in the kidney.
When is the best time to take Vitamin D?
You may take Vitamin D supplements in the morning on a full stomach. It improves absorption with a 50% increase in serum levels of 25(OH)D. Add some healthy fat to your meal, as a study shows it enhances absorption of VitaminD.
Researchers found a connection between vitamin deficiency and poor sleep quality. Taking VitaminD at night may interfere with your sleep.To know when is the best time to get an IM injection of Vitamin D, call the Injection and Infusion Clinic of ABQ at 505-445-4300 today.
