Vitamin D – the sunshine vitamin for the whole year
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Vitamin D is considered THE vitamin par excellence for the health of our bones. What many people don’t know: Vitamin D is one of the most important nutrients when it comes to strengthening our defences and effectively preventing infections! Because it is crucially involved in many vital processes in our body. However, the assumption that we get enough vitamin D from sunlight in summer is a myth. The result: 60 to 85 percent of Germans suffer from vitamin D deficiency. We explain to you why vitamin D is so important for our body and why we recommend a general supplementation.
What is vitamin D anyway?
Vitamin D occupies a special position among the vitamins. Unlike all other vitamins, it can be formed by the body itself. However, only under one condition: if sufficient sunlight in the form of UVB radiation acts on the skin. This is where the term “sun hormone” comes from. Strictly speaking, vitamin D is not a vitamin at all, but a so-called prohormone, i.e. the precursor of a hormone. Our organism transforms vitamin D into the biologically active hormone calciferol.
Vitamin D is the generic term for several fat-soluble compounds. The best known are vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). The latter is considered more effective because it is converted directly into the active form calciferol in the liver and kidneys. In addition, the body can form the storage form, the so-called calcifediol, from vitamin D3. The body’s own storage depots are mainly found in our fat and muscle tissue, smaller amounts are also found in the liver. Vitamin D2 must first be converted into vitamin D3 before it becomes effective. With optimal sun exposure, the stores can last for a few months. This also explains why the typical cold season starts at the end of October and then peaks in February.
Take up vitamin D via food?
Es gibt nur wenige Lebensmittel, die Vitamin D in erwähnenswerten Mengen enthalten. Dazu gehören fettreiche Fische, Leber, Innereien, Eier, einige Pilze und Avocados. Since the vitamin D contained in food is far from sufficient as the only source, diet plays a subordinate role in our supply
Why is vitamin D so important?
Vitamin D is a true multi-talent that is necessary for numerous important metabolic processes in our body.
- Immune system
… is essential for our body’s own defences. It activates our defence cells, the so-called T-lymphocytes, with which the immune system defends itself against invaders. By taking vitamin D daily, you can prevent infections (such as influenza or tuberculosis) or reduce their course.
- Bones
… plays a key role in the mineralisation of our bones. It promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphate from the intestine and the incorporation of both substances into bones and teeth. These thus remain stable, hard and strong.
- Muscles
… supports the formation of muscle cells and muscle fibres, which is essential for normal muscle function and strength. It also regulates the coordination of our muscles.
- Cardiovascular & Vascular
… has a positive effect on our cardiovascular system by helping to regulate blood pressure and heart contraction. In addition, it prevents the formation of so-called “foam cells”, which are responsible for the deposition of plaques in the vessels.
- Nervous system
… has a protective effect on the nerve cells in the brain. According to recent research, it could even play an important role in the prevention of diseases such as depression, dementia, multiple sclerosis and stroke.
- Type I and II diabetes
… lowers blood sugar levels, optimises insulin metabolism. Minimises the risk of developing diabetes I or II.
- Fertility
… increases fertility, supports a regular course of pregnancy and has been shown to reduce the risk of premature birth. Women should therefore make sure they have a sufficient supply of vitamin D during pregnancy.
An optimal supply of vitamin D is therefore not only essential for our physical performance and our immune system, but also for the prevention and treatment of numerous chronic and serious diseases.
Vitamin D deficiency – the silent widespread disease
Statistical analyses show that 60 to 85 percent of all Germans have too low a vitamin D level. Yet 75 percent of those affected do not take any food supplements. But how does such a widespread undersupply come about when we should simply go out into the sun to produce vitamin D? One aspect is certainly that the importance of an adequate vitamin D supply was underestimated for a long time and was not even examined for a deficiency in many complaints or diseases.
In order to form the required daily amount for an adult, a 15- to 30-minute stay outdoors around noon is sufficient in the summer months, if possible with shorts and short-sleeved shirt and without sunscreen. So much for the theory. But in our modern world, where we spend most of our time indoors, who has the opportunity to sunbathe every day at lunchtime in light clothing?
In addition, the body’s own vitamin D formation depends on additional factors such as latitude, weather and skin type. For example, the darker the skin, the more sunlight is needed for sufficient vitamin D formation. From October to March, it is impossible in our latitudes to absorb enough vitamin D through sunlight, because the sun is much too flat during these months. A vitamin D deficiency is therefore pre-programmed. If we are then unable to replenish the depots in summer due to our lifestyle, it is no wonder that a large part of the population suffers from an undersupply.
Our tip: You can easily have your vitamin D level checked with a laboratory test.
“There is sunshine in everyone.
You just have to make it shine.”
Sokrates
How does a vitamin D deficiency become noticeable?
In infants and small children, a vitamin D deficiency can lead to rickets, as the bones are not mineralised sufficiently, remain soft and become deformed.
Maybe you know this from the stories of your parents or grandparents: In the post-war period, weakened and malnourished children were given cod liver oil to prevent diseases and prevent rickets. Decades later, the disgusting-tasting fish oil still had a permanent place in many medicine cabinets. No wonder, because in addition to important fatty acids, fatty fish and cod liver oil also provide valuable vitamin D.
But even in adults, a vitamin D deficiency can have far-reaching consequences: From complaints such as fatigue and concentration problems, muscle weakness or pain and a susceptibility to infections to serious diseases such as osteoporosis, allergies and rheumatism – the list of symptoms and diseases associated with a vitamin D deficiency is long.
How much vitamin D is good and sensible?
We recommend regular supplementation with vitamin D – unless otherwise discussed with the doctor or therapist – in a standard dose of 5,000 I.U. per day at 70 kg.
In order to fill the vitamin D store in case of an undersupply or in case of an acute infection or illness, a higher dosage of up to 10,000 I.U. per day makes sense over a certain period of time.
It is best to consult your doctor or therapist about this.
Synergist vitamin D: strong in a team
For a long time, vitamin D was considered in therapy and treatment in isolation, especially with regard to bone health and cardiovascular diseases. In the meantime, however, it is known that vitamin D is closely linked to other nutrients and only in combination with some other nutrients, the so-called cofactors, can it work properly.
Calcium and phosphorus
Vitamin D plays an essential role in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the intestine, both of which in turn are involved in bone formation and energy metabolism. Vitamin D is therefore important for bone health, but only acts as a kind of mediator, i.e. it can only develop its full effect when there is also a sufficient supply of calcium and phosphorus.
Vitamin K
When taking vitamin D, a sufficient supply of the rather unknown vitamin K should be ensured at the same time. Vitamin K conducts calcium surpluses from the blood into the bones and thus ensures that the calcium is not deposited in the tissues, in the blood vessels or in the form of kidney stones. While vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium, vitamin K2 ensures that there is no maldistribution in the body.
Magnesium
Our body needs magnesium to convert vitamin D into the biologically active hormone calciferol. Without magnesium, the body cannot utilise vitamin D properly, and its effectiveness remains severely limited. Or to put it another way: Since magnesium is consumed during the conversion of vitamin D into its active form, a sufficient supply of magnesium is required at the same time when taking vitamin D so that no magnesium deficiency occurs.
Zinc and boron
The trace elements zinc and boron also interact with vitamin D. Zinc is required for the formation of the vitamin D reactive substances. Zinc is needed for the formation of vitamin D receptors, boron improves the effect of vitamin D and regulates the metabolism of certain micronutrients such as magnesium. A severe zinc or boron deficiency can also have a negative effect on the function of vitamin D.
VitaDK plus – vegan power complex by dr. reinwald vital
Our newly developed, highly effective complex VitaDKplus with vitamin D3 + K2 and the co-factors magnesium, zinc and boron starts exactly here: The high synergy effect guarantees you optimal biocompatibility and effectiveness – for fast replenishment of body stores as well as for your daily supply. All nutrients are free from additives, doping substances and allergens and are 100% vegan.
We recommend taking vitamin D as a fat-soluble vitamin in combination with some fat. Studies have shown that taking 11 g of fat (e.g. hemp oil, linseed oil, olive oil, avocado, almonds) leads to optimal absorption.
Do you feel addressed or do you have any questions? Our friendly team of therapists and alternative practitioners will be happy to advise you on the subject of vitamin D or our new product VitaDKplus. Call us now or use our chat.
VitaDK plus in our Vitalshop
