In the orthomolecular world, the importance of high doses of vitamin D has been known for some time. Gradually, a flood of unambiguous research results is also convincing national and European government institutions. Both the recommended daily amounts and the maximum permitted doses continue to rise.

This product contains approximately 700 drops of 5 µg vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol, from sheep's wool fat), sufficient for 350 doses of 10 µg for babies and children or 140 doses of 25 µg for adults. The handy pipette allows easy and accurate dosing. Vitamin D3 in drop form is ideal because it offers the possibility of using different dosages. This makes this product suitable for the entire family, even for very young children and people who have difficulty swallowing capsules. In addition, the dosage of vitamin D3 can easily be adjusted to the season, if desired.

Vitamin D3 most effective
The most common forms of vitamin D (calciferol) are vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Ergocalciferol is a plant-based form, while cholecalciferol comes from animal sources, but is also produced by humans in the skin under the influence of ultraviolet light, such as the sun (hence the nickname 'sunshine vitamin'). These forms of vitamin D are converted in the liver into the metabolite calcidiol (25-hydroxyvitamin D). Calcidiol is converted as needed in the kidneys and other cells and tissues into the biologically active hormone calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D). In terms of supplementation, however, it is important to know that vitamin D3 appears to be more effective than vitamin D2 in most cases in increasing blood calcidiol and ultimately calcitriol.

Vitamin D requirement
Vitamin D can be produced in the skin, but for many people in the Netherlands this is something that does not work well. For this, one needs to be outside for at least 15 to 30 minutes every day between 11 am and 3 pm. While many people have a job that does not allow them to go outside during these hours. Moreover, the weather can often be bad. And if people do go out in the sun with uncovered skin, the skin is quickly covered in sunscreen. Moreover, the sun is not strong enough in the months of November to May. Most people therefore do not produce enough vitamin D (certainly in these months) and do not get enough of it from food. Many vitamin D experts also believe that the optimal vitamin D level is higher than indicated in the regular advice. They believe that the calcidiol level should be at least 75 nanomol per liter of blood (nmol/l) for everyone, while the Health Council considers 30 nmol/l (or 50 nmol/l from the age of 70) to be sufficient. The nutritional standards and supplementation advice for vitamin D are based on this.

The function of vitamin D in the body
Knowledge about the role and importance of vitamin D in the human body has increased enormously in recent decades. Scientists have found receptors for vitamin D in more than 30 different types of tissues and organs, including immune cells, muscles and bones. This means that vitamin D has a broad field of action and supports health in various ways. It is especially known that vitamin D is good for the bones and teeth. Vitamin D is needed for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from food and for maintaining normal levels of both nutrients in the blood. These minerals are in turn needed for the mineralization of bones and teeth. Vitamin D is also good for the muscles, because a vitamin D receptor also occurs in muscle tissue. Activation of this promotes the production of proteins in the muscles, which is important for their function. Vitamin D is also involved in the cell division process and the production of new cells and tissues. In addition, vitamin D has an immunomodulatory effect, or regulatory effect within the immune system. Vitamin D receptors are found on T-helper cells, a form of white blood cells that play an important role in certain processes within the immune system. In this way, vitamin D is involved in the complex immune system in many ways.

Permitted health claims:

• is important for calcium and phosphorus absorption to maintain strong bones and teeth
• good for the muscles
• contributes to the process of cell renewal
• supports the body's defenses
• contributes to normal growth and development of the bones of children
• supports the immune system of children

Sunflower oil (Helianthus annuus), antioxidant (d-alpha tocopherol), cholecalciferol.