Vitamin D, The Most Popular Supplement Being Sold (An Analysis)

Vitamin D, The Most Popular Supplement Being Sold

Vitamin D is the leader in the supplement market and is used by approximately 70% of regular supplement consumers. 

However, supplemental vitamin D does not equal to the vitamin D you make through sun exposure...

When light hits the skin, cholesterol is turned into cholesterol sulfate a precursor to vitamin D. This process is called sulfation and is one of the first steps in making hormonal vitamin D. 

The distinction between hormonal and vitamin D:

- Vitamin D produced by the body is a hormone. 

- Vitamin D ingested through food is a vitamin. 

Cholesterol Sulfate on its own is an important modification of cholesterol and can be converted into multiple derivatives like bile acids, vitamin D, and steroids. 

Taking a vitamin D supplement may raise your blood levels of D, however, this form of vitamin D isn’t properly used because it isn’t sulfated therefore cannot be transported into the cell nor utilized by the cell. 

Maybe you think your body can sulfate the D supplement?

Unfortunately, it cannot! 

Supplemental vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is inactive and must undergo two conversions:

1) Liver Conversion → 25(OH)D Calcidiol (storage form)

2) Kidney/Tissue Conversion → 1,25(OH)₂D Calcitriol (active form)

This means that most supplemental vitamin D gets stored as 25(OH)D in fat and liver and is not immediately usable by your cells!

Adding to this, if you are lacking certain key cofactors like magnesium, vitamin A and K2, conversion may be not sufficient, leading to higher stored vitamin D and not enough active vitamin D… 

Main Problems With Supplemental Vitamin D

1. Lack of cholesterol sulfate: Unlike sun-derived hormone D, supplements DO NOT provide any cholesterol sulfate, which has many health benefits.

2. Risk of overstorage: high doses of supplemental vitamin D can lead to high 25(OH)D Storage Vit D but low 1,25(OH)₂D Active Vit D levels, meaning the body stores it but does not use it efficiently.

3. Nutrients Imbalance: Taking supplemental vitamin D when you are magnesium, Vitamin K2 and A deficient is a fast way to calcify your body, pulling calcium OUT of the hard tissue (bones) and directing that calcium into the SOFT tissue like joints, ligaments and arteries.

Vitamin D does not work by itself; it works in synergy with other nutrients:

• Magnesium (essential for conversion)
• Boron (extends half-life of vitamin D) 
• Vitamin K2 (prevents calcification)
• Vitamin A (regulates vitamin D receptor function)

This is why food sourcing your vitamins and minerals will always work better than taking a supplement isolate of something!

There are two ways to get vitamin D, one is through direct sunlight, the other through animal fat like raw dairy, egg yolks, organ meats, fatty fish and animal fats like lard. 

Foods containing vitamin D will also contain other nutrients and fat-soluble vitamins like A and K2.  

Conclusion

Supplemental vitamin D is mainly stored, not immediately used, and requires multiple conversions before cells can uptake it. Without enough cofactors (other minerals and vitamins), stored levels of vitamin D will go up while still experiencing a vitamin D deficiency. Sunlight-derived vitamin D is best and most bioavailable.