In these research studies, it has been documented that patients with breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and depression have lower level of Vitamin D than the controls. (1) (2)(3)(4)
Vitamin D supplementation has shown effective in preventing or improving the symptoms in these studies.
Vitamin D created in our skin in response to sun exposure is more beneficial than supplementation. However, for those of us living in the northern hemisphere, that is not always a choice.
There are different types of vitamin D available in the market:
– Synthetic vitamin D, which I do not recommend
– Vitamin D2, Ergocalciferol (plant source)
– Vitamin D3, Cholecalciferol (animal source)
Vitamin D2 or D3?
D3 is approximately 87% more potent in raising, maintaining, and storing of vitamin D than vitamin D2. (5)
Since Vitamin D3 is produced from animal source, I only trust when it is manufactured scientifically.
1 – Zeichner SB et al. Improved Clinical Outcomes Associated With Vitamin D Supplementation During Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients With HER2+ Nonmetastatic Breast Cancer. Clin Breast Cancer. 2014 Aug 15
2 –Brance ML et al.Vitamin D levels and bone mass in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Int. 2014 Jul
3- Munger KL et al.Molecular mechanism underlying the impact of vitamin D on disease activity of MS. Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2014 Aug;1(8):605.
4- Józefowicz O et al. Analysis of vitamin d status in major depression. J Psychiatr Pract. 2014 Sep;20(5):329-37
5– Heaney RP, Vitamin D(3) is more potent than vitamin D(2) in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Mar