Medical researchers have been sounding the alarm about the importance of maintaining optimal Vitamin D levels from childhood through to the adult years, but millions of ageing adults remain grossly deficient in this critical hormone-based nutrient.

Every cell in the body is now known to have Vitamin D receptors where the nutrient provides an essential key to accurate DNA and cellular replication. Vitamin D works at the genetic level to lower the incidence of mutations and improve cellular replication.

Currently there are over 34,000 scientific investigations on how vitamin D works in the human body, yet it is still largely ignored by the general population. Deficiency of Vitamin D is often one of the last things someone considers when they are in a less than healthy state.

As we will discuss later, it’s hard to agree on the exact amount we need, there is staying alive, then there is thriving, If you use optimal levels of Vitamin D as the standard for deficiency, we see that as many as 90% of people in the western hemisphere have deficiency. If you are dark skinned living in a country where there is less sun you may be even more at risk.

Many people are deficient because they aren’t able to obtain enough Vitamin D through direct sunlight and their diet alone, and they aren’t taking a high-quality supplement or the supplement simply doesn’t have enough D3 in it.

Once thought of as only playing a role in certain diseases, researchers now realise that Vitamin D affects virtually every cell and tissue in your body. And it affects numerous Vitamin D receptors located throughout your body and nearly 3,000 genes. Your cells need the active form of vitamin D to unlock the genetic blueprints stored inside the cell. Without these crucial blueprints, these aspects of your health could potentially be at risk.

• Brain & Mood Health

Some studies have even shown that a vitamin D deficiency could be associated with a higher risk of developing conditions like schizophrenia. Further research has also found that vitamin D status may also influence depression, anxiety, seasonal affective disorder and insomnia.
Getting enough vitamin D may also bump up brain power as well. One study published in The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry even reported that lower levels of vitamin D may be linked with poor performance on standardized exams, difficulties with attention and focus as well as impaired decision making.

• Stay Immune 

Low levels of vitamin D may be the main reason for many immune problems and infections. Vitamin D aids in cell replication and is thought to help protect against the development of autoimmune conditions and infections like the cold.
Vitamin D may also help prevent prolonged inflammation, which is often considered to be at the root of many chronic conditions and health problems. Studies show that inflammation may play a part in heart disease, diabetes and cancer along with a wide range of inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and inflammatory bowel disease.

• Bone Support

Vitamin D supports bone density. A severe Vitamin D deficiency example is rickets, a condition that affects children and is characterized by bone abnormalities and reduced bone mineral density. Although rickets is incredibly rare these days, other bone-related disorders such as osteoporosis are still very common. Not only has vitamin D deficiency been linked to an increased risk of osteoporosis, but it’s also been tied to decreased bone mineral density and a higher risk of fractures in older adults.

• Respiratory Health

The understanding of Vitamin D metabolism and biological effects has increased so much in recent years, it’s clear Vitamin D has extensive immunomodulatory effects. The active Vitamin D generating enzyme, 1α-hydroxylase, is expressed by the airway epithelium, alveolar macrophages, dendritic cells, and lymphocytes indicating that active Vitamin D can be produced locally within the lungs. Vitamin D generated in tissues is responsible for many of the immunomodulatory actions of Vitamin D.

The effects of Vitamin D within the lungs include increased secretion of the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin, decreased chemokine production, inhibition of dendritic cell activation, and alteration of T-cell activation. These cellular effects are important for host responses against infection and promote normal healthy lungs . Epidemiological studies do suggest that Vitamin D deficiency predisposes to viral respiratory tract infections and mycobacterial infections and that Vitamin D may be an option for those with breathing problems. Randomised, placebo-controlled trials are lacking but ongoing.

• Teeth & Nails

Our teeth’s enamel (the barrier protecting your teeth) is mainly made up of calcium and phosphate, Vitamin D plays an important role by increasing the absorption of the calcium and phosphate from foods. Getting Vitamin D by the sun or by supplement you keep your enamel strong and help fight the bacteria responsible for dental caries among other dental health issues.

The important factor when it comes to vitamin D is your serum level, which should ideally be between 50-70 ng/ml year-round, and the only way to determine this is with a blood test.

Healthy sun exposure is the preferred method, but this Vitamin D3 supplement can be used when necessary, in fact taking Vitamin D3 whilst enjoying the sun may actually help a healthy tan.

Most adults need about 8,000 IU’s of Vitamin D per day to achieve optimal serum levels. If you choose to take our Vitamin D3 supplement, make sure you’re getting enough Vitamin K2. Fermented vegetables can be a great source of vitamin K2 if you ferment your own using the proper starter culture. Gouda and Edam cheese are also good sources. But do see below for some K2 options.

• Ancient Purity’s thoughts on dosage

Now all that said what do we currently think… studies have shown that 30 minutes in sunlight could be as much as 10,000 – 20,000 iu’s of Vitamin D. Personally if i can i will spend the whole day in the sun in the summer as much as possible. If i’ve wroked in the garden for 8 hours that could be 160,000 – 320,000 iu’s of Vitamin D.

Now we all know we feel happier and better in the sun, but the sun is very different from a softgel capsule. The question I have never really had answered is how much can we take. It seems we all vary on what we need given our ethnicity and skin type. Lots of health experts have an idea, a doctor might prescribe 600iu’s.

There is a difference between taking enough to not be deficient and enough to thrive. Ultimately you have to make the choice of how much you want to take because I believe there is no exact science on how much an individual needs.

Personally I take more in the winter months but still top up with three 10,000iu softgels in the summer. Years ago when we posted this supplement online saying we now stock it, people commented no Vitamin K2. The question again is, are all the people who spend a day in the sun, get a massive dose and the benefits eating a K2 rich diet?

I don’t think they are, I believe it helps and is a great supplement alone too but in my opinion you can still reap massive Vitamin D3 benefits without having to take or eat for Vitamin K2. Again ancient Purity is all about lifestyle, mind, body and spirit, you must have control of all to be really healthy, so think, research and decide for yourself.

• Vitamin K2 rich foods

Spinach, Swiss Chard, Turnip Greens, Mustard Greens, Brussels Sprouts, Parsley, Romaine Lettuce, Broccoli. Asparagus, Collard Greens, Celery, Green Beans, Leeks, Cabbage, Basil, Thyme, Sage, Kale.

• Weight-loss

Having trouble shedding stubborn belly fat even with diet and exercise?, Now might be the time to consider Vitamin D to make sure you’re meeting your daily needs.

Research suggests that there may be a connection between obesity and D3 deficiency, with some studies even showing that getting enough of this key vitamin could also aid in weight loss.

One study showed that women who met their requirements for vitamin D lost 7ibs more than a placebo group over a one-year period. Meanwhile, another study showed that having a higher amount of body fat was associated with lower levels of vitamin D in the blood.

However, it’s still unclear whether obesity may increase the risk of vitamin D deficiency or if obesity may contribute to low vitamin D status. More research is still needed to understand the complex role that vitamin D may play in weight control..

• Heart Health

Continuing research on Vitamin D’s effect on the heart show deficiency as a risk factor for major heart problems and the conditions associated with cardiovascular issues, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

Dr Erin Michos, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital in the Division of Cardiology, examined and contributed a great deal of data on Vitamin D deficiency and the heart, including a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

She stops short, however, of stating that raising Vitamin D levels lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease. “Now that we have identified this risk factor for heart disease, the question is, if you’re deficient and I give you Vitamin D back, can I actually prevent a heart attack?”

Dr Michos believes that question will be answered more conclusively by large clinical trials.

• Fights the risk of major health issues.
• Support Lung function.
• Cardiovascular / Heart health.
• Brain Health & Mood Balance.
• Seasonal Health Support.
• Healthy Pregnancy – deficiency could risk of developing preeclampsia and needing a cesarean section.

• Low Vitamin D is associated with gestational diabetes mellitus and bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women.
• Helpful in the maintenance of muscle & bones.
• Plays a role in the maintenance of normal teeth.
• Normal function of the immune system.
• Insulin regulator, diabetic management.
• Contributes to absorption/utilisation of calcium & phosphorus.