Studies in South Africa have shown a significant proportion of the population suffer from Vitamin D deficiency. It is linked to health conditions such as bone diseases, immune system issues and overall poorer health outcomes.
Individuals with more melanin in their skin are generally more prone to deficiency especially if they have limited exposure to sunlight. Melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour, acts as a natural barrier to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from the sun, which is necessary for the skin to produce vitamin D. The more melanin present in the skin, the less efficient the body is at synthesizing vitamin D from sunlight.
People with darker skin require more sun exposure to produce the same amount of vitamin D as people with lighter skin. This is why vitamin D deficiency is often more common in people with darker skin.
Extensive research was done with African Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic and the pattern observed in these studies highlighted a link between low vitamin D levels and an increased risk of severe illness or mortality from COVID-19.
Abilities Weight Management urges every client to take vitamin D but especially clients with darker skin, it believed that it plays a role in the heightened vulnerability with more severe outcomes with many viruses not only COVID. Researchers continue to investigate the role of vitamin D in immune health, but I strongly suggest every client have their vitamin D3 levels checked and supplement.
The Benefits of Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)
Vitamin D3 is considered more of a hormone than a traditional vitamin due to its unique role and how it functions in the body.
1. Synthesis and Activation:
Unlike most vitamins, which must be obtained from food or supplements, vitamin D3 is produced by the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight (UVB radiation). It’s a precursor molecule that needs to undergo two key activation steps to become fully functional:
- First step: In the liver, vitamin D3 is converted into 25-hydroxyvitamin D (also called calcidiol).
- Second step: In the kidneys, it is further converted into its active form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (also called calcitriol).
2. Hormonal Activity:
The active form of vitamin D, calcitriol, acts like a hormone in the body. It circulates through the bloodstream and binds to specific receptors (called vitamin D receptors, or VDRs) found in various tissues, including the intestines, bones, kidneys, and immune cells. This binding triggers a range of physiological effects.
3. Hormone-Like Effects:
Because vitamin D acts in the body in a manner similar to other hormones — by traveling through the bloodstream and signalling cells to perform specific functions — it’s often referred to as a hormone rather than just a vitamin.
Take Vitamin D3 with Vitamin K2 Together
Taking vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 together is beneficial for overall health, particularly for bone and cardiovascular health. These two vitamins work synergistically in the body, to enhance their effects. Here’s what happens when they are taken together:
1. Enhanced Calcium Regulation:
- Vitamin D3 plays a key role in calcium absorption from the intestines into the bloodstream. However, it doesn’t directly control where the calcium goes once it’s in the bloodstream. This is where vitamin K2 comes in.
- Vitamin K2 activates proteins (such as osteocalcin and matrix Gla-protein) that help direct calcium to the bones and teeth while preventing calcium from depositing in soft tissues like arteries and kidneys.
Without enough vitamin K2, calcium may end up being deposited in the wrong places, such as in arteries, which can lead to arterial calcification, increasing the risk of heart disease.
2. Bone Health:
- Vitamin D3 helps increase calcium absorption, which is crucial for building and maintaining strong bones.
- Vitamin K2 works to ensure that the absorbed calcium is properly utilized in the bones. It helps activate osteocalcin, a protein that binds calcium to bone matrix, promoting bone mineralization and strength.
- Together, these vitamins work to improve bone density and reduce the risk of conditions like osteoporosis and fractures.
3. Cardiovascular Health:
- Vitamin K2 plays a role in preventing the calcification of blood vessels by activating a protein called Matrix Gla-protein (MGP), which inhibits calcium from being deposited in the arteries.
- Vitamin D3, while beneficial for cardiovascular function, can indirectly contribute to arterial calcification if calcium isn’t properly directed to the bones. Vitamin K2 helps counteract this potential risk, supporting cardiovascular health.
- Thus, the combination of vitamin D3 and K2 helps to balance calcium metabolism, potentially reducing the risk of heart disease and improving vascular health.
4. Synergistic Effects:
- While vitamin D3 promotes calcium absorption and increases calcium levels in the bloodstream, vitamin K2 helps ensure that calcium is used appropriately and does not build up in unwanted areas like the arteries.
- This synergy is particularly important for older adults, who may be at greater risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases.
5. Potential Benefits:
- Stronger Bones: Vitamin D3 helps absorb calcium, and K2 ensures it’s used properly in bones.
- Better Cardiovascular Health: Vitamin K2 helps prevent arterial calcification, supporting healthy blood vessels and a healthy heart.
- Enhanced Immune Function: Vitamin D3 plays a role in immune health, and while vitamin K2 doesn’t directly affect immunity, its role in overall health supports a well-functioning immune system.
Unlock Your Full Potential in 2025: Boost Your Health with Vitamin D3 & K2!
As we move into 2025, it’s the perfect time to prioritize your health — not just for weight loss, but for a strong immune system, healthy bones, and a body that’s ready to fight off illness!
