ExcellVie Vitamin D3

VITAMIN D3 IN CAPSULES
D3 2000 IU
ExcellVie Vitamin D3 is a dietary supplement by ILS Pharma containing 2000 IU (50μg) of vitamin D3 cholecalciferol in capsules.

WHY ExcellVie Vitamin D3;

VITAMIN D
Vitamin D (calciferol) is a fat-soluble vitamin naturally found in some foods, added to others and is also available as a dietary supplement. It is also produced endogenously when ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight come into contact with the skin, triggering its synthesis.

Vitamin D obtained from sunlight exposure, foods, and supplements is biologically inert and must undergo two hydroxylations in the body to become activated.

Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium in the intestine and maintains adequate concentrations of calcium and phosphorus in the blood to enable normal bone mineralization and prevent hypocalcemia (involuntary muscle contractions leading to cramps and spasms). It is also needed for the development and restructuring of bones. Without sufficient vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or deformed.
Adequate vitamin D prevents rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Together with calcium, vitamin D also helps protect the elderly from osteoporosis.

Vitamin D also plays other roles in the body, including reducing inflammation and regulating processes such as cellular growth, neuromuscular and immune function and glucose metabolism.

In foods and dietary supplements, vitamin D has two main forms: D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol), which differ chemically only in their side chain structures. Both forms are well absorbed in the small intestine. The presence of dietary fat in the intestine enhances the absorption of vitamin D, but some vitamin D can still be absorbed even in the absence of dietary fat.

VITAMIN D deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency can result from inadequate dietary intake, poor absorption, or metabolic needs requiring higher amounts. If someone does not consume enough vitamin D and does not get sufficient exposure to ultraviolet sunlight for a prolonged period, they may develop deficiency. Individuals who cannot tolerate or do not consume milk, eggs, and fish, such as those with lactose intolerance or following a vegan diet, are at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency.

Other individuals at high risk of vitamin D deficiency include:

  • Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease) or other conditions that disrupt normal fat digestion are also at risk of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that relies on the intestine’s ability to absorb dietary fat.
  • Obese individuals tend to have lower levels of vitamin D in their blood. Vitamin D accumulates in fatty tissue reserves but is not readily available for use by the body when needed. Higher doses of vitamin D supplements may be required to achieve a desired concentration in the blood. On the contrary, blood levels of vitamin D increase when overweight individuals lose weight.

Conditions resulting from prolonged vitamin D deficiency include:

  • Rickets: A condition in infants and children characterized by soft bones and skeletal deformities caused by inadequate mineralization of bone tissue.
  • Osteomalacia: A condition in adults characterized by weak and softened bones that can be reversed with supplements. This is different from osteoporosis, where bones are porous and fragile, and the condition is irreversible.