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What is Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)?

Vitamin D3, otherwise known as cholecalciferol, is a pro-hormone and essential nutrient produced in the skin. It is a seco-steroid hormone that regulates calcium homeostasis and balance within the body. For this reason, Vitamin D is best known for its role in the development and maintenance of healthy teeth, bones, and cartilage in children and adults. Vitamin D helps the body keep bones and teeth strong by improving the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the small intestine. Vitamin D also affects parathyroid hormone, which regulates bone turnover and release of calcium from bone.

Vitamin D, or also known as the "sunshine vitamin", can be made from exposure to ultraviolet light, thus the name. Sun exposure for as long as just around ten to fifteen minutes daily can provide 2,000 to 5,000 IU of vitamin D. There are two varieties of Vitamin D sources: vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol, a poor source derived from sources such as fortified milk, herring, mackerel, tuna, salmon, sardines, eggs, fortified cereals and baked goods) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol, the best source derived from animal products, fortified foods and exposure to UV rays). Aside from playing an important role in supporting calcium absorption, bone health, and wound healing, this fat-soluble vitamin has also been found to reduce the likelihood of breast, colon, ovarian and other cancers.

Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is the active and most preferable form of vitamin D. It is the most widely known of the vitamin D series and is a fat soluble vitamin that is stored to a certain extent in the body. Vitamin D3 can be produced photochemically by the action of sunlight or ultraviolet light from the precursor sterol 7-dehydrocholesterol which is present in the epidermis or skin of most animals. Vitamin D formed in this manner is called "natural vitamin D" or vitamin D3. It can also be consumed in the form of fish oil, or eaten in foods such as eggs or fish. Vitamin D3 is often the preferred vitamin because it has a higher bioavailability and it has more roles in biological activity for its various metabolites or isomers that have biological benefit.

What is Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) used for and who uses it?

Vitamin D is one of those vitamins whose deficiency can lead to severe effects. Children that do not get adequate supplies vitamin D in their diets are more susceptible to developing rickets, a disease characterized by deformation of bones and teeth in children. Adults with insufficient amounts of vitamin D have an increased risk of developing osteomalacia (similar to rickets), and are more likely to suffer from osteoporosis, a bone-weakening disease. Vitamin D deficiency has also been associated to the progression of other illnesses, including type I diabetes, muscle and bone pain, and cancer.

Supplemental vitamin D is available in 2 different forms: vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Vitamin D3 has proven to be the more preferred and effective form of vitamin D in all primate species, including humans. Vitamin D3 can also be synthesized in the skin through exposure to sun, and then subsequently metabolized by the liver and kidney to the biologically active form 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. The primary function of vitamin D is to promote and enhance calcium and magnesium absorption, the two essential minerals necessary for strong bones. Vitamin D3 is required for the body to be able to utilize calcium and phosphorus, and for the absorption and metabolism of vitamin A. By increasing GI absorption of phosphorus and calcium, Cholecalciferol increases the serum calcium concentrations, which in turn increases osteoclastic resorption, and distal renal tubular reabsorption of calcium, whose optimal levels are required to ensure proper bone mineral density and serum (blood) calcium levels. This is extremely beneficial among very young children where it can treat rickets in conjunction with vitamin A, and in the treatment of osteoporosis in the elderly, especially post menopausal women who often suffer from fractures due to loss of bone density.

Vitamin D3’s ability to shield and protect against multiple sclerosis is two-fold: it can hinder the onset and the development of the disease, and limit its spread and progression as well. Vitamin D3 can also significantly improve and strengthen the immune system, and has a strong effect in regulating blood pressure. Without optimal and adequate levels of D3 in the blood, proper bone development and muscle contraction would not be possible, and that can lead to serious medical conditions including malnutrition and metabolic bone disease. The latter may not be evident until a broken arm or leg occurs. In a study, vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) supplementation caused an increase in bone mass in the lumbar vertebra of 2% of participants, as compared with a loss of 2% in the placebo group. In another study, supplementation with vitamin D increased bone density in the femur by 3% and in the lumbar spine by 2.3%. Because of the numerous cellular functions it influences, Vitamin D3 functions more like a hormone than a vitamin. In line with this, many researchers already regard vitamin D as a hormone because of its sterol chemical structure and the fact that sunlight on your skin can use your body to make vitamin D.

How pure is your Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)?

This Purebulk Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) powder has 100,000 IU/gram, enough to supply the needed nutrients to prevent Vitamin D deficiencies and protect against future disease. You will receive a double sealed labeled bulk polyethylene bag containing this yellowish granular product. It contains no fillers, taste additives, or anti-caking agents. Studies show that more than 50 percent of people are vitamin D deficient. The widespread use of sunscreens, reduced sun exposure, residence in northeastern US or in areas with high pollution levels, the fall and winter season, and having more skin pigmentation, contributes to the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency.

Although sunlight remains as the best source of vitamin D because even just a few minutes of exposure provides enough vitamin D to reach the daily value, getting the right amount of vitamin D from the sun is not always as simple as it seems. For one, people in northern hemisphere may have problems getting vitamin D from sunlight during winter due to occasional exposure to direct sunlight (light coming through a glass window of a car or building doesn’t count, because it filters out vitamin D). Also, the recent spike in the number of skin cancer cases has caused public alarm, forcing more and more people to use more and stronger sunscreen, which limits the body’s ability to produce its own vitamin D from sunlight. If you have a history of skin cancer, or are simply trying to avoid sun damaged wrinkles, it is best to get the vitamin D needed from supplementation rather than the sun.

What are some of the common effects of Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)?

Vitamin D is of paramount importance for normal bone growth and development, and to keep proper bone density. It is also required so that the body can effectively utilize both calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D functions as a hormone and improves the reabsorption of calcium and phosphorus by the kidneys. Vitamin D may also help people with gout and rheumatoid arthritis by increasing the calcium around their damaged joints. Vitamin D3 has also been used in the treatment and prevention of various cancers, including breast and prostate. Chronic vitamin D deficiency exists in populations which live in low sunlight climates, so people with adequate access to sunlight usually do not have to worry about taking dietary vitamin D because ultraviolet light converts 7-dehydrocholesterol (abundant in skin) to vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). However, in cases such as MS treatment wherein the use of steroidal drugs depletes vitamin D supplies and inhibits absorption, supplementation is extremely worthwhile. Anyone undergoing treatment from immune or autoimmune disorders can benefit from vitamin D supplementation.

What is the daily suggested dose of Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)?

Prior to purchasing this product, we request that you contact us via email at store@purebulk.com to let us know why you are qualified to purchase, handle and dose this product safely. The commonly recommended dose for Vitamin D3 is in the range of 100IU (IU = International Units) to as much as 2000IU. You can see the full bulk density/volumetric conversion chart for Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) here. At 100,000IU per gram the commonly recommended dose for Vitamin D3 is extremely small, in the range of 1mg (one milligram) to 50mg. Because Vitamin D3 100,000IU powder can potentially be toxic in higher doses extreme care should be exercised when dosing this product for individual use and dietary supplementation. A single dose for Vitamin D3 is very small and you should make no attempt to dose this product using volumetric measuring techniques. In other words, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DOSE THIS PRODUCT USING MEASURING SPOONS OF ANY KIND! The only safe way to dose this product for individual use will be using an accurate milligram weight scale. PureBulk have these scales, and you can purchase it quite inexpensively here: 1/100th gram (milligram) weight Scales. If you are not a compounding pharmacist or health professional, buy our capsules instead because each capsule will contain a measured dose of 2000IU Vitamin D3. We highly recommend that you purchase these pre-filled capsules and not purchase the powder if you are not a compounding pharmacist or health professional.

As always, if you have concerns or questions, consult a physician or a health care professional before taking any supplements. Before taking any kind of medicine, check with your doctor to ensure that the supplement you want to take is right for you. You may be allergic or you may have a sensitive stomach which may raise the need for special instruction as far as dosage goes.

Precautions and Potential side effects of Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)

Like other fat-soluble vitamins, vitamin D can be toxic. Since Vitamin D is fat-soluble, this means that excess amounts of it are stored in the body tissues. Long-term high doses may be deposited in the soft tissues, irreversibly damage the kidneys and cardiovascular system. Symptoms of too much vitamin D include nausea, weakness, constipation, irregular heartbeat, weight loss, seizures, and irritability. As such Vitamin D supplements should be taken with caution.

The information at Purebulk.com is NOT a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not use any dietary supplement as a replacement for conventional care, or as a reason to postpone seeing a doctor about a medical problem. Tell all your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

Solubility and suggested preparation of Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)

Since Vitamin D3 is fat soluble or not soluble in water, it would be best to take this during meal times with fatty foods.

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is used in the following Proprietary Formulas

Country Life Vitamin D3 1000IU, Natures Answer Vitamin D3 Drops 4000 IU, Carlson Vitamin D3 Drops 1000 IU, Doctor's Best's Vitamin D3 2000IU, ENZYMATIC THERAPY Vitamin D3, FUTUREBIOTICS Chewable Vitamin D3, HERO Vitamin D3 (500IU), JARROW Vitamin D3 (2500IU), OW Vitamin D-3 (1000IU), SOLARAY Vitamin D-3 (400IU), SOURCE NATURALS Vitamin D-3 (2000IU), TWINLAB D3 plus K2 Dots

References & Further Research

1-alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 treatment reduces bone turnover and modulates calcium-regulating hormones in early postmenopausal women
50 Japanese women within 10 years after menopause (mean age 52.5 years) were studied to determine the effects of vitamin D3 for 12 months on bone mass and metabolism. Overall data clearly demonstrate that vitamin D3 maintained bone mass by reducing bone resorption through the modulation of calcium-regulating hormones. Temporarily increased urinary calcium excretion was observed in control group, but did not appear to be effective in modulating bone turnover.

Bone mass and markers of bone and calcium metabolism in postmenopausal women treated with 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D (calcitriol) for four years
The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term effect of calcitriol treatment on bone mineral density (BMD) of the femoral neck and lumbar spine and the parameters of calcium and bone metabolism. Elderly women, 55 healthy, postmenopausal women, all aged 66 years, were enrolled in the study. Eighteen started a 4-year supplementation with 0.5 µg of calcitriol daily and 37 served as controls. Calcium intake of all the subjects was adjusted to 800 mg daily. Overall data suggest that calcitriol treatment increases bone mass at the femoral neck and lumbar spine, the increases being maintained for up to 4 years. The gain in bone mass results from reduced bone turnover which is partly a consequence of the enhanced intestinal absorption of calcium and suppressed serum PTH levels.

The effect of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) on the risk of fall and fracture: a meta-analysis
We evaluated the effect of supplementation with cholecalciferol (excluding the potential effect of calcium supplementation) on the risk of fall and fracture, primarily in postmenopausal women, using a systematic literature review of MEDLINE, EMBASE, BIOSIS and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for the period January 1985 to June 2005. Our primary meta-analyses examined the effect of cholecalciferol on the risk of fall or fracture; additional analyses examined baseline and difference between baseline and final levels of several serum and urinary biochemical markers. There is a trend towards a reduction in the risk of fall among patients treated with cholecalciferol alone compared with placebo, suggesting that cholecalciferol should be an integral part of effective osteoporosis management.

Cholecalciferol or ergocalciferol supplement? The case against ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) as a vitamin supplement
Supplemental vitamin D is available in 2 distinct forms: ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). Pharmacopoeias have officially regarded these 2 forms as equivalent and interchangeable, yet this presumption of equivalence is based on studies of rickets prevention in infants conducted 70 y ago. The emergence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D as a measure of vitamin D status provides an objective, quantitative measure of the biological response to vitamin D administration. As a result, cholecalciferol has proven to be the more potent form of vitamin D in all primate species, including humans. Vitamin D2, or ergocalciferol, should not be regarded as a nutrient suitable for supplementation or fortification.

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) for International Customers

We have the most economical shipping costs & labeling practices for International orders. You can see our shipping costs here. Also, please note, that anything in a 1.5kg package can be shipped within a single flat rate envelope, however our shopping cart mistakenly displays 2 envelopes. Go ahead and ship the order, and you will notice that it only charges you the cost of 1 anyway. Look at the shipping costs tab above to see for yourself how you can calculate these charges.

Buying Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) Bulk or Wholesale

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