Vitamin D-3
Vitamin D-3 and the skin
At DermaHarmony, we are keenly aware that the millions of
Americans who suffer from psoriasis need options for help.
We also know that options for treating only topically often
help for a while, but that response may dwindle over time.
This dwindling response from topical solutions alone is a
clear wake-up call for you to start healing from the inside
as well! Although there is currently no proven cure for psoriasis,
recent research indicates that there are numerous health benefits
to vitamin D. Supplementation with D-3 provides relief from
many inflammatory ailments and medical conditions. We believe
these include psoriais, dermatitis, dandruff, eczema, rosacea
and severe acne. A study done in Isreal at the Dead
Sea - legendary for its treatment of psoriasis -
showed that natural sunlight provided significant improvment
in symptom activity. This is because sunlight stimulates our
bodies to manufacture vitamin D.
If you are a psoriasis sufferer, you already know it is an
extremely uncomfortable and sometimes disabling disease, with
unsightly plaques caused by the overproduction of skin cells.
Cells pile up quickly in affected areas, and because the body
is unable to shed them fast enough, red, scaly itchy patches
form. In some extreme cases psoriasis leads to a debilitating
form of arthritis. While psoriasis is still poorly understood,
the process of inflammation clearly plays a role. In addition
to its supporting role in relief from psoriasis and other
inflammatory conditions, scientists now believe that vitamin
D supplementation may be able to prevent or lessen the impact
of a host of other diseases, including diabetes, epilepsy,
depression, hypertension, and perhaps even cancer!
Vitamin D may benefit psoriasis patients in a number of ways.
Recent studies have shown that patients suffering from a variety
of inflammatory conditions were often vitamin D-deficient.
A significant number of patients had simprovement after taking
only modest amounts of additional vitamin D per day. Nearly
every organ in the body, as well as the bones, contains receptors
for vitamin D! Our skin, the largest organ of the body, makes
vitamin D from sunlight, and also contains receptors for the
more active, circulating form of vitamin D. This more active
form of vitamin D may actually help retard the abnormal growth
and shedding rate of skin cells in conditions like psoriasis.
Though not fully understood, UV light therapy has long been
an effective remedy for psoriasis relief. Since the body makes
vitamin D from UV light, it is fair to say that UV light therapy
is another form of vitamin D supplementation.
How do we get vitamin D?
Vitamin
D-3, or cholecalciferol (clinical/molecular formula:
C27H44O), is naturally manufactured
in the skin, primarily through exposure to sunlight. Since
most people work indoors, and many fear cancer due to sun
exposure without sunblock, few people are able to maintain
healthy levels of vitamin D solely through sunlight. Merely
the use of sunscreen can block up to 95% of your body's
vitamin D production! But vitamin D levels in the body are
affected by a number of other factors as well. Geographic
location, skin pigmentation, and age all play a major role
in individuals' vitamin D levels. People who live in
Northern regions (i.e., higher latitudes) suffer from vitamin
D deficiency due to long winters with limited sun exposure.
Studies have shown that people with darker skin pigmentation
need much more exposure to sunlight to produce the same amount
of vitamin D as someone with lighter skin.
Vitamin D is also naturally found in a limited number of
foods, such as nuts, eggs, and fish, and it is a common additive
in milk and orange juice. But in order to obtain adequate
amounts of vitamin D from food or fortified beverages, pounds
of fish or multiple glasses of milk would need to be consumed,
which most people are simply unable to do. And, after the
age of 45, the kidneys reduce production of alphahydroxylase,
an enzyme that assists in the body's ability to process
vitamin D.
Getting adequate vitamin D and maintaining ideal vitamin
D levels relies on healthy skin exposure to enough sunlight,
healthy intestines to absorb it from foods or supplementation,
and a healthy liver and kidneys to properly assimilate it
into the active, circulating form - 25-hydroxyvitamin
D. Fortunately, we now know that vitamin D blood levels can
be tested and monitored regularly, and that levels can more
consistently be improved by taking a good quality supplement
(like DermaHarmony D-3) - to maximize the health benefits
we deserve!
How to start using vitamin D
In order to determine whether vitamin D levels are adequate,
or preferably ideal, request a 25-hydroxyvitamin
D [25(OH)-D] blood test from your physician. Levels below
20 ng/mL are considered to be vitamin D-deficient. Levels
less than 40 ng/mL are probably still insufficient, and levels
40-60 ng/mL are considered the new ideal optimal
range. A level of greater than 80 ng/mL is considered excessive.
Testing is important, to gauge how much you may need and to
prevent toxicity from this fat-soluble vitamin. The test is
fairly inexpensive, so if your health plan will cover the
cost of the test, you should consider paying for it out of
your own pocket. Note that your levels may test higher if
you have recently used UV light therapy, and levels may also
be higher during the summer months due to increased sunlight
exposure.
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for vitamin D, as determined
by the Food and Nutrition Board, is presently under scrutiny.
Many prominent scientists from diverse fields of medicine
believe that the currently suggested RDA for vitamin D, of
200-600 IU (International Units), is far too low and
should be raised to at least 1000 IU. In order to achieve
maximum benefit from vitamin D, many researchers believe that
repletion doses may need to range between 3000-5000
IU per day until ideal blood levels are achieved and maintained,
with regular monthly blood testing for safety during that
process.
Please see your doctor, if using higher dosage supplementation,
for repeated vitamin D and calcium blood tests. Rarely, an
individual may ingest too much vitamin D, which puts them
at risk for a reaction from vitamin D hypersensitivity. Symptoms
of hypersensitivity or toxicity may include serious stomach
upset accompanied by vomiting and excessive thirst. If you
suspect vitamin D toxicity when using supplements, you should
contact your doctor immediately. New studies seem to indicate
that vitamin D toxicity is highly unlikely for most healthy
individuals, even using up to 6000 IU of D-3 daily, unless
suffering from an underlying kidney or metabolic condition
which affects serum calcium levels.
Why is D-3 preferred?
There are two main options for supplementing with Vitamin
D. D2 (ergocalciferol) is produced from irradiated fungi in
a laboratory setting. D-3 (cholecalciferol) is the form typically
extracted from fish oil or food sources. Due to the manufacturing
process, it seems that D2 has been more closely associated
with potential side effects and has greater risks for toxic
contamination. D-3 matches what is produced within human skin,
and is much more efficiently converted by the liver to support
circulating active levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Potency
and quality are key in D-3 supplement choice, and only pharmaceutical-grade
products are held to consistent content and quality standards.
While some studies and pharmaceutical companies use D2 supplements,
we believe there is much stronger evidence for using D-3.
What DermaHarmony has to offer
DermaEssentials™ Skin Care Packs - Pharmaceutical-grade potent nutrients
in convenient packets. They travel easily, and are to be used
twice daily with meals.
DermaHarmony
D-3 - Pharmaceutical-grade D-3, the safer and more
active form of vitamin D, is offered separately for use in
addition to our DermaEssentials™ packets. This allows
you to reach your individual needs best, with the help and
supervision of your doctor as appropriate. Using one of our
DermaHarmony D-3 tabs daily provides 1000 IU of D-3, the new
daily minimum that many experts now recommend. Read our section
on how to start using vitamin
D above!
DermaDetox™ - In order to maximize the anti-inflammatory
benefits of supplementation, particularly vitamin D, we recommend
that you consider priming your system with this detox package,
to set the stage for optimal nutrient absorption and function
in the body.
Skin-Plaque
Solution™ Topicals - Soothing topical formulas.
You can try DermaHarmony products risk-free for 37 days.
If you are not satisfied with your purchase for any reason,
simply return the empty bottles for a full refund of the product
price (less shipping and handling), no questions asked. If
you would like to speak with one of our Nutrition/Digestive
Health Specialists, call 1-800-827-3730. Click
here to order now.
How Can We Help?
At DermaHarmony, our goal is to help inform chronic skin care sufferers about their choices, if necessary improve choices, and then support you in any way we can. Our Program supports healthy skin with nutritional supplements, topical treatments and dietary guidance. To learn more about our programs, click here or call us toll-free at 1-800-827-3730. Our Support Desk is open 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. EST, Monday-Friday.
Our skin assessment is designed to help us get a better understanding of your symptoms and to make diet and lifestyle recommendations for you. It’s super easy and free and only takes about 5 minutes. Take our Skin Assessment.
References:
References
Holick, M. 2004. Vitamin D importance in the prevention of
cancers, type 1 diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 29 (3), 362-371.
Masuda, S., & Jones, G. 2006. Promise of vitamin D analogues
in the treatment of hyperproliferative conditions. Molecular
Cancer Therapeutics, 5 (4), 797-808.
Stein, R. May 21, 2004. Vitamin D deficiency called major
health risk. Washington Post, A01.
Vasquez, A., et al. 2004. The clinical importance of vitamin
D (cholecalciferol): A paradigm shift with implications for
all healthcare providers. Alternative Therapies, 10 (5), 28-37.
Vitamin D Council. Understanding vitamin D | cholecalciferol.
URL: http://www.vitamindcouncil.com/ (accessed electronically May 28, 2006).
Principal Author: M. Smith, DermaHarmony
Nurse Practitioner
Date of Publication: 06/08/2006
Updated: 08/26/2009
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