Vitamin D3

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that affects almost every cell throughout the body. The human body can make vitamin D3 when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol, is then converted in the liver to form 25-hydroxyvitamin D and ultimately converted to the active form of vitamin D in the kidneys. Vitamin D increases intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus which are used to preserve bone density. Vitamin D is also needed by nerves, muscles, and immune cells. Vitamin D helps to maintain blood sugar balance and adequate levels help minimize inflammation and pain. Vitamin D supplementation may reduce musculoskeletal and nerve-related pain associated with conventional cancer treatments. Finally, adequate vitamin D is associated with reduced cancer death.

Vitamin D in Food

Vitamin D3 is found in fatty fish, and to a lesser degree cheese, egg yolks, and beef liver.

Deficiency

An estimated 1/3 of the global population and 18% of the US population is deficient in vitamin D. You can ask your healthcare provider to check for vitamin D deficiency. If your vitamin D levels are low, supplementation with vitamin D3 can bring your vitamin D level to sufficiency. Be sure to discuss optimal vitamin D supplementation with your integrative provider or oncologist.

Warnings

Because vitamin D is fat soluble, taking too much of it may cause it to accumulate in tissues and, although rare, may cause dangerously high levels of calcium, heart arrhythmias, and kidney damage. It is always best to have your blood level of vitamin D checked during supplementation to make sure that you are taking the correct dose.