Vitamin D

Vitamin D, there’s more to it than meets the eye! While it’s called a vitamin, it’s actually a hormone called calcitrol. An appropriate name as it helps with calcium uptake and healthy bones. It’s also required for optimal brain function, respiratory health, cardiovascular health and is the fulcrum to a balanced immune system.

To make vitamin D a dose of UVB rays from the sun gets the ball rolling. Yes, the sun is our friend! Excitedly, this activated form travels to the liver where it is converted to the prohormone calcidiol. This heads through the blood to the kidneys where, with open arms, it is converted to the active form of vitamin D, calcitrol. It’s released into the bloodstream.

Of course this implies everything is functioning perfectly. Liver is healthy, kidneys are in optimal form and that mineral status is divine.

Should there be hepatic disease, then the liver is not going to be able to hydroxylate calcidiol to the metabolically active 1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol form of vitamin D. Problems with the liver can stem from dietary choices, a lack of enzyme co-factors, alcohol intake, drug use, pharmaceutical use, even taking too much Panadol. Liver support is easily attained with the appropriate advice. Have a chat with your health care professional or natural health care provider.

What if the GFR is low? This decreases with increased age, inflammation, alcohol use, drug use, eating junk food, medications, too much exercise, or being dehydrated. Just a minute, what's GFR? Oops, sorry! It's a measurement of the glomerular filtration rate of the kidneys and gives an indication of kidney function or possible kidney disease. Kidney support is always recommended. We have a pretty awesome Kidney Support Tea.

Supplementing with too much vitamin D can disrupt this delicate intrinsic pathway. Dizziness, muscle weakness, kidney stones nausea or vomiting are a sign of overdosing. It is strongly recommended to include cofactors or "helpers" such as vitamin K2, zinc, magnesium, boron, Vitamin A, and quercetin when supplementing with Vitamin D. Too much of a good thing can have deleterious effects.

It is possible to have a genetic predisposition where vitamin D cannot be made into a useable form. Familial conditions such as progressive deafness, cancers, infections or early deaths or can be an indication. There are supplements that specifically help in this regards.

Unsure what do to? Drop by and have a chat. Talk to your preferred healthcare professional. We want only the best for you and your whānau.

Some of the supplements we carry in the shop.

Others would be ordered in according to need.

Vitamin D is found in Metagenics Meta Zinc With Vitamin C .

Super Scientific Words and Reference: Vitamin D hormonal activity is due primarily to the hydroxylated metabolite of vitamin D3, 1-alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3, or calcitriol). The CYP27B1 gene encodes 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-1-alpha-hydroxylase (1-alpha-(OH)ase), an enzyme in the renal proximal tubule that catalyzes the hydroxylation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 into 1,25(OH)2D3. The active metabolite 1,25(OH)2D3 binds and activates the nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR; 601769), with subsequent regulation of physiologic events such as calcium homeostasis and cellular differentiation and proliferation

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2878736/