Best Calcium Formula With Vitamin D3 For Bones

Q. I need a good calcium bone supplement. I heard taking D3 is more important than taking calcium and that I should take 5,000 IU of Vitamin D3. Is this true?

A. It is important to consume both calcium and D3. The special function of vitamin D is to promote normal bone mineralization. It helps to make calcium and phosphorus available in the blood that bathes the bones, to be deposited as the bones harden or mineralize. Vitamin D is a member of a large and cooperative bone making team composed of nutrients and other compounds, including vitamins A, C, and K. As we age our bones go through a constant re-mineralization process, which involves vitamin D, the parathyroid hormone (PTH), estrogen, and calcium!

Vitamin D raises blood concentrations of these minerals in three ways.

1. It simulates their absorption from the GI tract.
2. It stimulates their retention by the kidneys.
3. It helps to withdraw these minerals from the bones into the blood or to deposit them into the bone.

In the bone, it functions in conjunction with PTH and estrogen to regulate the mobilization and deposition of calcium and phosphorus. These activities are coordinated with the purpose of maintaining plasma calcium within a narrow range of concentration. The star of the show is calcium itself! Vitamin D is the director.

Without calcium from food and/or supplements, the PTH would receive signals to pull calcium from the bone to keep blood levels within normal ranges! Low dietary calcium & vitamin D leads to osteoporosis.

Vitamin D becomes more important as we age, because the intestinal process of absorbing calcium slows as we age, vitamin D plays an adaptational role by increasing the efficiency of intestinal calcium absorption in the lower half of the small bowel, especially when dietary calcium isn't adequate. However, even the active form of vitamin D is much less effective in improving intestinal calcium absorption by women a decade or so after the onset of menopause, even if vitamin D (calcitriol) levels are elevated. This is why many women go on Boniva or other medications to protect their bones in their later years. However, vitamin D & calcium is still important to maintain.

It is not true that everyone needs such a high dose of vitamin D, needing a higher dose is determined by getting your blood levels of vitamin D checked. If your levels come up low, then you need to supplement with a higher dose of vitamin D (> than 1000 IU/day). As of now, it is being recommended for people to get about 1000 IU of vitamin D a day if their levels are within normal ranges, in addition to their calcium from food and supplements.

Here is a good calcium supplement to take:

OsteoForce by DFH - it contains minerals we don't necessarily get in sufficient quantities in our diet, which also play a role in bone health.

Correcting Vitamin D deficiency with the right type of Vitamin D

Q. Since July I have low Vitamin D levels (lab values 17 & 23 ng/ml) even with Rx supplementation of Vitamin D ergocalciferol. What can you recommend?

A. I have to say ergocalciferol (D2) form of Vitamin D is not the best form to be taking to correct a Vitamin D deficiency. Your Vitamin D level should never be below 32 ng/ml.

VITAMIN D3 (Cholecalciferol) is the biologically active form of Vitamin D. Cholecalciferol is a pro-hormone that has multiple roles in maintaining bone mineralization and serum calcium levels. Active Vitamin D induces proteins that serve to enhance calcium transport across intestinal mucosal cells. In response to low serum calcium, Vitamin D also stimulates calcium re-absorption in the renal tubules to help maintain calcium levels.

There are two types of Vitamin D supplements: Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), which comes from fish oil or lanolin (from sheep), and plant source D2 (ergocalciferol), which is found in fortified foods and some supplements. D2, found in plants and made active by irradiation, is less biologically active.

Vitamin D3 is found in eggs, organ meats, animal fat, cod liver oil, and fish. It is the equivalent to the Vitamin D3 formed on your skin from UV-B. You should stay away from high dose synthetic D2 as it has been shown to be toxic at the higher dose ranges.

There are additional reasons why Vitamin D2 has a greater potential for harm. First, Vitamin D binding protein has a weaker affinity for the Vitamin D2 metabolites than Vitamin D3. Second, unique, biologically active metabolites are produced in your body from Vitamin D2, but there are no analogous metabolites derived from Vitamin D3.

In summary for these reasons, you will only want to use Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) - Vitamin D Supreme by DFH

You should be taking a higher dose of Vitamin D3 (10,000 IU /day - 15,000 IU) and getting at least 10-20 minutes of sunlight daily to help you get your levels up. Making sure you are taking calcium along with it is recommended, and continue to go to your doctor to get your Vitamin D levels monitored.