Some literature states that vitamin D3 is the most natural form of vitamin D. Vitamin D3 plays an important role in regulating calcium levels in the body and maintaining strong bones and teeth. In addition, vitamin D3 is also used to treat certain diseases.
Vitamin D is a type of fat-soluble vitamin. Chemically, there are 2 active forms of vitamin D, namely vitamin D2 or ergocalciferol and vitamin D3 called cholecalciferol.
Vitamin D2 is only found in foods from certain types of plants, such as mushrooms. While vitamin D3 is formed naturally when your skin is exposed to direct sunlight. In addition, vitamin D3 can also be found in foods of animal origin, such as:
- Seafood, such as salmon, tuna, and tuna
- Fish oil and cod liver oil.
- Egg.
- Milk and its products, such as cheese and yogurt.
- Beef liver.
- Cereals or fruit juices fortified with vitamin D3.
Not only from food, vitamin D3 intake can also be obtained from supplements containing vitamin D3.
Benefits and Uses of Vitamin D3
The main benefit of vitamin D3 is that it helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus, which are important for building and maintaining strong bones. Intake of vitamin D3 from food or supplements is good for people who do not get enough vitamin D intake, either from sunlight or from food.
For example, in people with lupus, people who spend a lot of time indoors, or suffer from digestive disorders that make vitamin D difficult to absorb by the body.
Vitamin D both in the form of vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 can also be used as a treatment and prevention against several diseases, including:
1. Treat and prevent rickets and osteomalacia
Vitamin D3 can be used to treat and prevent rickets and osteomalacia. Both conditions are caused by a deficiency of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus.
Rickets is a bone growth disorder in children, while osteomalacia is a bone disorder that makes bones soft and easy to break.
2. Prevent osteoporosis
Various studies have shown that adequate intake of vitamin D3 can help prevent osteoporosis or bone loss and increase bone density in elderly people. Vitamin D3 is also said to reduce the risk of fractures in the elderly.
3. Prevents worsening of kidney disorders
Certain kidney diseases, such as chronic kidney failure, can interfere with the function of the kidneys to produce vitamin D. As a result, many patients with kidney failure have vitamin D deficiency.
To increase the intake of vitamin D in the body, people with kidney disorders are advised to get enough vitamin D3 from food or supplements.
In addition, several studies have also shown that the use of vitamin D3 supplements appears to prevent the worsening of kidney failure conditions and improve the condition of patients with kidney failure. Vitamin D3 supplements also appear to be effective in reducing the risk of complications in diabetic nephropathy.
4. Treating disorders of the parathyroid glands
The parathyroid gland is a gland that functions to regulate calcium levels in the body by producing parathyroid hormone. When this hormone is produced, the body will naturally produce more vitamin D to absorb more calcium.
If the function of the parathyroid glands is disturbed, for example in hypoparathyroidism, the amount of vitamin D and calcium in the body will decrease.
Therefore, vitamin D3 supplements are often needed to treat disorders of the parathyroid glands.
Although it plays an important role for health, daily intake of vitamin D is not recommended to be consumed in excess.
Based on the recommendation of the Nutrition Adequacy Rate (RDA) from the Ministry of Health, the daily requirement of vitamin D for women and men is 15 micrograms or the equivalent of 600 IU. While the elderly are advised to meet daily vitamin D as much as 20 micrograms or the equivalent of 800 IU.
This amount can be met by consuming food sources of vitamin D. If you want to take vitamin D3 supplements, it is recommended that you first consult with a nutritionist, so that the dosage can be adjusted to your health condition.