Vitamin D3 enhances calcium absorption and retention, a key nutritional role in supporting healthy bones; new evidence suggests it may also have a prominent role in cellular, cardiovascular, colon and immune health.  Vitamin D levels have been shown to decline with age, due primarily to a reduction in either absorption or metabolism by the liver. Decreased exposure to sunlight, a vegetarian diet, or a low intake of vitamin D fortified foods also play a role in inadequate vitamin D levels. 

Benefits of Vitamin D

• Vitamin D promotes intestinal calcium and phosphorous absorption and reduces urinary calcium loss, essential mechanisms for maintaining proper calcium levels in the body and for healthy bone composition. 
• Vitamin D supports cardiovascular function in some individuals, which may be attributed to its effect on calcium metabolism or possibly by helping to maintain healthy plasma renin function. 
• A role for vitamin D in supporting colon health by promoting healthy cellular function has also been suggested. 
• Vitamin D is believed to provide general cellular support potential, including for the breast and prostate, in part by helping to maintain healthy angiogenesis balance, supporting immune cell activity, and maintaining healthy cell metabolism. Vitamin D's role in immune health has long been established; vitamin D receptors are found on a number of immune cells, including lymphocytes and macrophages, supporting healthy immune cell activation. 

Freqeuntly Asked Question

Q: What is the difference between vitamin D2 and vitamin D3?

A: Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is the naturally- occurring form of vitamin D synthesized
in humans. Research indicates that plant- derived vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) is metabolized differently than vitamin D3.

In fact, vitamin D3 may be more than three times more effective than vitamin D2 in raising and maintaining serum vitamin
D levels. In addition, its metabolites have more affinity for vitamin D-binding proteins in plasma. Pure Encapsulations products contain only vitamin D3.*