Vitamin D

[Bobbury]

I'm taking a vitamin D supplement but I'm not sure as to what is the best Vitamin D/ product to take. I've tried several, there are so many many types and products. Would appreciate some adivce and or recomendations.

Many thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Really probably not much difference - as long as it is a reputable brand.

[Bobbury in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for that. Much appreciated

[Healthnut21]

Not sure what brand you have tried sir. Make sure you have a very good brand. My Naturopath put me on BioCeuticals brand supplements 15 years plus now. .. a little more expensive. I believe in “ you pay peanuts you get monkeys”. In Australia, this brand is locked up in glass cabinets behind the counters . … what does that say? Whereas, supermarket and chemist aisles are loaded with so many weaker brands- pays to invest more for your health - good luck!

[Sharitone]

I'm not aware of any difference between the brands, but I get mine from a supermarket, £5 for 96 tablets and my blood tests over the last couple of years have always show reasonable levels of vitamin D, from which I conclude that they are at least good enough.

[Bcol]

Can you not get them on prescription from your doctors?

[howtotaperdown]

I understood that there should be vit K with vit D?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to howtotaperdown]

We do suggest taking Vit K2 - it helps direct the calcium to the bones rather than to the arteries… but it’s not prescribed.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to howtotaperdown]

Some people say it is worth it, There isn't a lot of proof of its necessity, I've never taken it as a supplement, my bones have been good so far.

[emsscot in reply to PMRpro]

I do take Vitamin K2-7 and have done a fair amount of research as to its benefits. Please forgive my rudimentary explanation but from what I understand, new research shows that K2-7 channels the calcium supplements to the bone and prevents them from causing plaque in the arteries - what the doctors used to call “hardening of the arteries” which often led to heart attacks

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

health.clevelandclinic.org/...

“Excessive amounts of vitamin D can lead to off-the-charts levels of calcium in your blood, a condition known as hypercalcemia. That can increase your risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), as calcium deposits build on blood vessel walls.

CAD can set the stage for a heart attack or congestive heart failure as time passes.”

This is an oldish study from the Cleveland Clinic but I’ll update with new research tomorrow

health.clevelandclinic.org/...

“And it’s true that calcium is an important part of bone health. But research is showing that calcium doesn’t act alone.

“Having low levels of vitamin K is associated with a higher risk of bone fractures,” Zumpano notes. “We’ve always put so much emphasis on calcium for bone health. But in reality, vitamin D, vitamin K and calcium all actually work together.”

Vitamin K helps activate a protein called osteocalcin, which binds to calcium to build bones. That makes vitamin K an essential component of bone health.

Some early studies are showing that vitamin K2 supplements may reduce fractures and improve bone quality in people with osteoporosis.

In Japan and other parts of Asia, one kind of vitamin K2 (MK-4), is used as a treatment for osteoporosis.

IMPROVES HEART HEALTH

In addition to its positive effects on blood clotting and strong bones, vitamin K helps keeps your heart healthy. That’s because of the way it acts to clear out calcium from your blood vessels.

When calcium builds up in your body, it can lead to hardening (or calcification) of your tissues, organs and blood vessels. Calcium deposits in your arteries can lead to high blood pressure, kidney disease and more.

“Vitamin K has been shown to help activate a protein that helps prevent calcium from depositing in your arteries,” Zumpano explains. “Calcium deposits contribute to the development of plaque, so vitamin K does a lot of good for your heart health.”

[Bobbury in reply to emsscot]

Thank you very much for the info. It is very helpful

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to emsscot]

Fair enough, but they are not differentiating between K1 and K2 and that is important too for anyone on anticlotting medications.

[pigeonCl-HU]

Hi Bobbury, I use SunVit D3. They were recommended to me by my GP years ago. Their products are pharmaceutical grade, so you can trust you are getting exactly what's written on the label.

They are not available in supermarkets. You may get them from amazon, but I have found that they are always cheaper buying them directly from SunVit D3.

At the moment they have a sale on their website.

sunvitd3.co.uk/collections/...

pigeon.

[Bobbury in reply to pigeonCl-HU]

Thanks, I'm going to try them!

[Twopies]

I use Thorne drops from Amazon—they’re the purest I’ve ever found. Ingredients: vitamin d.

[Carrollee]

Hi. I buy a D3 in olive oil. Just drop 2 drops into my tongue 4,000 iu.

[Boss302Fan]

Are you taking Vit D3 or Vit D? Recommmend D3 and take it with or after food, it is a fat soluble vitamin. I suggest periodically having your blood levels checked. If also taking Ca (water soluble) suggest taking the Ca with a 2 hr window away from other vitamins or supplements as it can interfere with absorption. Also don’t recommend taking the Ca at more than 350-400mg at a time and not more than 750-800 mg/day. I preferred Calcium citrate over Calcium carbonate. If you can get your calcium needs via diet that’s best and there is no ceiling from a diet perspective, which is what I do now, no Ca supplements.

Vitamin K2-M7 (also fat soluble and I take mine at the same time as the D3) can be beneficial as well. As to the dose? One study recommended 180 mcg/day to observe benefits after about 2-3 years, others recommend 120 mcg. I settled on 100 mcg and constantly wonder if should boost it to 200. There are foods one can eat but I seriously doubt can be consistent to maintain a stable dose. I get mine from Vitacost. K2 is not the same as Vitamin K, especially with regards to promoting blot clotting.

[Bobbury in reply to Boss302Fan]

Thanks for that!