Pharmacy Store
Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)
- Essential Fat-Soluble Secosteroid
- Take oral supplements strictly with a fat-containing meal once daily or weekly depending on dosage strength.
Price range: ₦16,800.00 through ₦28,600.00
Description
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is the naturally occurring form of Vitamin D that your skin synthesizes when exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) sunlight. It undergoes two enzymatic hydroxylations—first in the liver to become 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and then in the kidneys to become the active hormone calcitriol ($1,25\text{-(OH)}_2\text{D}$). It is significantly more effective at raising and maintaining active circulating Vitamin D levels in the bloodstream than Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol). It is primarily used to:
Build & Protect Skeletal Integrity: Directs calcium and phosphorus absorption into the bone matrix to prevent soft bones (osteomalacia in adults, rickets in children) and brittle bones (osteoporosis).
Fortify Immune & Cellular Health: Modulates innate and adaptive immune responses, helping white blood cells combat systemic pathogens while supporting neuromuscular function.
Restore Suboptimal Blood Levels: Effectively corrects deficiencies identified via a 25-hydroxyvitamin D blood test (where levels under 20 ng/mL indicate a deficiency).
Dietary Synergy: Always take your Vitamin D3 supplement alongside a meal or snack containing healthy fats (such as eggs, nuts, avocados, or yogurt). Because it is a fat-soluble vitamin, dietary lipids dramatically enhance its absorption through the intestinal wall.
Natural Exposure & Dietary Sources: In addition to supplements, brief sun exposure (10 to 30 minutes a few times a week) helps your body produce D3 naturally. Rich food sources include fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines), egg yolks, beef liver, and fortified foods like dairy or plant milks.
Dosage needs vary widely depending on baseline blood levels, sun exposure, and age:
Daily Maintenance Routine: Over-the-counter daily doses typically range from 400 IU to 2,000 IU or 5,000 IU daily as part of a general nutritional strategy.
High-Dose Deficiency Regimens: Severe deficiencies may require high-potency prescription doses (such as 50,000 IU weekly) under direct clinical monitoring.
While Vitamin D3 is safe and essential at normal levels, excessive intake carries explicit boundaries:
The Toxicity Threshold (Hypercalcemia): Prolonged intake of extremely high doses (far above recommended limits) causes an accumulation of calcium in the bloodstream. Symptoms of hypercalcemia include nausea, persistent thirst, frequent urination, muscle weakness, and risk of kidney stones.
Additional information
| Brands | Natures Field Vit D3 1000IU, Puritan Pride Vit D3 5000IU, Oak life Vit D3+k2 |
|---|
