Vegan Vitamin D3-It's What Everyone Needs  [June-13-2013]

It's often called the "sunshine vitamin." That's because your body makes vitamin D when your skin is exposed to the sun. In theory, we should all be able to get plenty of it and for free.

Instead the outlook for vitamin D has become rather gloomy. The rate of vitamin D deficiency in the U.S. is 41.6%, according to The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005 to 2006. The highest rates were seen in African Americans (82.1%) and Hispanics (69.2%). Mounting evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency could be linked to several chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and cancer.

In today's world we not only need to supplement with vitamin D but also make sure that we get the right kind of vitamin D. There are two key type-D2 and D3.

We need to be sure we get vitamin D3. And we need to make sure we get the right kind of D3. Vibrant Nutraceuticals is proud to exclusively provide the only 100 percent vegan Vitamin D3 available in North America. It contains a proprietary raw ingredient called Vitashine, which is the first approved by vegan and vegetarian organizations.

Let's explore why vitamin D3 is important for human health. Here's what you need to know:

Why vitamin D

First of all, a major scientific review concluded that vitamin D adds years to your life.

This meta-analysis of more than 57,000 participants, in 18 separate trials, concluded that Vitamin D supplementation enhanced longevity, either by reducing the incidence of certain cancers and cardiovascular disease, or by improving survival in patients with these conditions.

Individual studies have shown that low levels of vitamin D may be linked to cancer; in particular, breast, colon, prostate and pancreatic cancers; high blood pressure; depression; Type 2 diabetes; multiple sclerosis; and obesity.

Other research shows that vitamin D helps prevent osteoporosis and other bone diseases such as rickets, and may reduce the risk of falls in seniors by 22 percent.

How much to take

Government recommendations are that newborn babies through the first 12 months of life should be supplemented with 400 IU (international Units) of vitamin D on a daily basis; children and adults need 600 IU and seniors aged 70 and above need 800 IU. Many independent experts recommend much higher amounts. Older adults are at high risk of vitamin D insufficiency because a) their skin cannot synthesize vitamin D as efficiently and b) they are likely to spend more time indoors.

Why D3 and not D2

As mentioned there are two key types of vitamin D. One is vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol), the naturally occurring form. It is produced by the human body when skin is exposed to sunlight.

Vitamin D2 (Ergocalciferol) is a derivative of a pro-vitamin called ergosterol. This is the form found in most vegetarian and vegan vitamin D supplements.

Several studies suggest that D3 is 70 percent to 87 percent more potent than D2 and easier for the body to absorb, making it far more effective at raising vitamin D levels in the blood.

Why Vibrant Nutraceuticals Vegan Vitamin D3

Most vitamin D3 supplements are typically extracted from fish livers or sheep's wool (lanolin). The latter may even contain sheep dip or other undesirable compounds. So you don't have to be vegan or vegetarian to question the desirability of that source.

Our vegan Vitamin D3 is sourced from a special organic plant called lichen, a hardy species that survives in extreme climates all over the world from the Arctic to deserts to the ground floors of forests. Lichens consist of a symbiotic association of a fungus with an algae. Lichen is everywhere, growing like moss or small plants on benches, rocks (and gravestones). Our vitamin D3 is a carefully selected strain, extracted in a unique process at the site where it is grown to ensure optimum freshness.

Vibrant Nutraceuticals' vitamin D3 line of products is available in both spray and capsule forms. There's a naturally flavored 200 IU (International Unit) spray for children (Kids Vitamin D3) and a 400 IU spray for adults. You can spray it on food or directly into the mouth. Softgel capsules are in 60-count bottles of 1,000 IU and 5,000 IU.