Why Vitamin D Supplements Make a Difference

* Resource for the following article:
Nature's Health Supply, Inc., Makers of MAX D
A leader in providing the finest quality, all-natural Vitamin D3

We highly recommend D Max because it is a much better value than any other product we found on the market, as it comes in a 250 count bottle, while most other companies sell a 60 count bottle. Based on the single bottle price, the cost of D Max is less than $2.75 per month. (the monthly cost is less when buying larger quantities)

WHAT IS VITAMIN D3 and HOW DOES IT WORK

Vitamin D (cholecalciferol) is a pre-hormone that has long been known for its important role in regulating body levels of calcium and phosphorus, and in mineralization of bone.

Vitamin D is metabolized into a potent steroid hormone called calcitriol, More recently, it has become clear that receptors for calcitriol, are present in a wide variety of cells, and that calcitriol, has biologic effects which extend far beyond control of mineral metabolism.

It is believed that vitamin D and its metabolites, play an important part in the regulation of genes involved in cell growth, differentiation and proliferation. By promoting differentiation and inhibiting proliferation, vitamin D may become an important factor in cancer prevention and therapy.

Through its regulation of genes, calcitriol controls the production of immune factors known as lymphokines, which effect cell-mediated immunity functions.

Vitamin D may play a role in the prevention and/or treatment of the following health conditions:

• Atherosclerosis	• Hypertension	• Osteoarthritis
• Breast cancer	• Kidney disease	• Periodontal disease
• Chronic Pain	• Liver disease	• Preeclampsia
• Colon cancer	• Mental Illness	• Psoriasis
• Diabetes	• Multiple sclerosi	• Tinnitus
• Depression	• Muscle Weakness	• Ulcerative colitis
• Epilepsy	• Obesity	• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Heart Disease	• Osteoporosis

Vitamin D3 and CANCER - Laboratory, animal, and epidemiologic evidence suggest that vitamin D may be protective against some cancers. Clinical studies now show vitamin D deficiency to be associated with four of the most common cancers:

• Breast
• Prostate
• Colon
• Skin

It is well established that vitamin D acts as an effective regulator of cell growth and differentiation in a number of different cell types, including cancer cells. Through this action, Vitamin D behaves as a protective factor which decreases the risk of getting cancer.

Vitamin D may also go beyond cancer prevention and provide tumor therapy. Much ado has been made of pharmaceutical angiogenesis inhibitors agents that help inhibit the growth of new, undesirable blood vessels that tumors require for nutrient supply and growth. Laboratory tests have shown vitamin D to be a potent angiogenesis inhibitor. Vitamin D also works at another stage of cancer development. Tumor cells are young, immortal cells that never grow up, mature and die off. Because vitamin D derivatives have been shown to promote normal cell growth and maturation, drug companies today are attempting to engineer patentable forms of vitamin D for anti-cancer therapy.

A few more specifics on Vitamin D3 and its effect on major illnesses:

• Vitamin D3 and Diabetes TYPE 1 - It is not clear how vitamin D may lower the risk of type 1 diabetes, which occurs when the body's own immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. However, vitamin D has been shown to suppress certain cells of the immune system that may play a role in the development of the disorder. As type 1 diabetes is considered to be an autoimmune disease, it seems likely that vitamin D would be needed in enabling the optimal function of the immune system and in preventing too aggressive attacks against the body's own tissues.  
• Vitamin D3 and Diabetes TYPE 2 - The majority of North Americans require sunlight to meet their needs for vitamin D because they do not meet their needs from the foods that they eat. Many people in temperate climates therefore are deficient in vitamin D by the end of winter. Lack of vitamin D impairs a person's immunity and ability to produce insulin and respond to insulin. Studies show that giving vitamin D pills to Type 2 diabetics during the winter improved control of blood sugar levels by increasing the first response of insulin from the pancreas to a rise in blood sugar, and by improving cell response to insulin.
• Vitamin d 3 and Heart Disease - Atherosclerosis - Low levels of vitamin D may increase the risk of calcium build-up in the arteries, a significant component of atherosclerotic plaque. Atherosclerotic plaque build up in blood vessels can lead to a heart attack or stroke. More research is needed to understand the practical implications of this possible relationship between low vitamin D levels and atherosclerosis.
• Vitamin D3 and High Blood Pressure - Low levels of vitamin D may play role in the development of high blood pressure in those with kidney disease and/or hyperparathyroidism. One study, for example, suggested that supplementation with vitamin D and calcium helped to lower blood pressure in older women with low levels of vitamin D and high levels of parathyroid hormone. Your doctor will determine if vitamin D may be helpful for preventing or treating high blood pressure.
• Vitamin D 3 and Alzheimer's - Alzheimer's disease is associated with an increased risk of hip fractures. This may be because many Alzheimer's patients are homebound, frequently sunlight deprived, and older. With aging, less vitamin D is converted to its active form. One study of women with Alzheimer's disease found that decreased bone mineral density was associated with a low intake of vitamin D and inadequate sunlight exposure. Physicians should evaluate the need for vitamin D supplementation as part of an overall treatment plan for adults with Alzheimer's disease.
• Vitamin D3 and Multiple Sclerosis - An abundance of scientific evidence indicates that vitamin D deficiency is associated with the onset and progression of MS and other autoimmune diseases. Recent findings have shown that MS rates are significantly lower in areas that receive a lot of sunlight and where people eat a lot of fish, which is rich in vitamin D.Multiple Sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren's Syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroiditis and Crohn's disease have all been linked with low vitamin D levels.
• Vitamin D3 and Obesity - Have you ever wondered why some people can eat all they want and not get fat, while others are constantly battling extra pounds? The answer may have to do with vitamin D and calcium status. Sunlight, UV-B, and vitamin D normalize food intake and normalize blood sugar. Weight normalization is associated with higher levels of vitamin D and adequate calcium.61 Obesity is associated with vitamin-D deficiency. In fact, obese persons have impaired production of UV-B-stimulated D and impaired absorption of food source and supplemental D.
• Vitamin D3 and Fatigue, Depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder - Activated vitamin D in the adrenal gland regulates tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate limiting enzyme necessary for the production of dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrin. Low vitamin D may contribute to chronic fatigue and depression. Seasonal Affective Disorder has been treated successfully with vitamin D. In a recent study covering 30 days of treatment comparing Vitamin D and 2 hour daily use of 'light boxes', depression completely resolved in the D group, but not in the light box group.
• Vitamin D3 and Infertility and PMS - Infertility is associated with low vitamin D, and PMS has been completely reversed by addition of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D.

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