Vitamin D +

Research is pointing to more and more people suffering the consequences of vitamin D deficiency including susceptibility to serious illnesses. Vitamin D + contains 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 as Cholecalciferol and 550 mcg of vitamin K as Phytonadione and 50 mcg of K2 menaquinone‐7 [MK‐7]  (included to prevent calcification of the arteries), 1500 mcg of Vitamin A (retinol palmitate) and 10 mg of Magnesium glycinate. 

Why is Vitamin D deficiency on the rise?

Many people are avoiding sun exposure due to fear of ozone layer problems, or because of skin cancer or concern of skin wrinkling. Twenty minutes of sun exposure daily to 6% exposed skin is necessary for maintaining our body’s own production of vitamin D.

Some drugs bind fats, including fat-soluble Vitamin D and contribute to low Vitamin D levels. These drugs include:

• Cholestyramine, a bile acid sequestering medication, and laxatives.
• Intake of Olestra and soluble fiber can also potentially reduce vitamin D absorption from food.
• Statin drugs can cause cholesterol levels to fall lower than ideal which may contribute to vitamin D deficiency.

Other reasons that others may have Vitamin D deficiency:

• Patients with fat malabsorption, problems with bile production or production of lipase for digesting fats are also susceptible to low vitamin D levels. 
• Patients with dark skin pigmentation or a dark tan may require up to four times longer sun exposure to absorb the same amount of UVB as light or untanned skin because melanin blocks UVB. African descent individuals have a much higher incidence of vitamin D deficiency, especially in northern states.
• Obese individuals can have 50% lower plasma levels of vit D than normal-weight people, for the same supplementation levels or sun exposure.
• Women with low hormone levels are more susceptible to vitamin D deficiency. Estrogen or progesterone deficiency (amenorrhea, surgical or age-onset menopause) impairs the formation of the active form of Vit D.
• Aging skin has a reduced capacity for vitamin D synthesis. By age 75, vitamin D levels can be 25% lower than levels in younger individuals.
• Related Research

Vitamin K directs calcium into the bones and teeth, and when Vitamin D is in excess and when Vitamin K is low, calcium may deposit in arteries and other tissues.  This is why these two work synergistically together and are part of Vitamin D +.

Vitamin D + includes 1500 mcg Vitamin A as retinol palmitate, which serves as a precursor to retinoic acid (RA), the most bioactive form of vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is best known as a key nutrient in visual acuity and retinal health, especially night vision, and for its essential role in supporting healthy immune function. Within the gut, vitamin A is central to immune homeostasis, coordinating both innate and adaptive immunity; RA  is crucial to the maintenance of the gut barrier and Vitamin A is crucial for healthy thyroid function, red blood cell production, male and female reproductive health, and cellular maturation

** Vitamin K may adversely interact with anticoagulation drugs known as blood thinners. Patients on these medications should be medically supervised while taking Vitamin K. It is not ideal for these individuals to take high dose vitamin D alone as it may contribute to arterial stiffening (loss of elasticity) since vitamin K is being restricted.