Vitamin D The Sun Shield Against Disease How One Molecule Can Save Your Life
Imagine there exists one vitamin that: - And this vitamin is not a miracle supplement from advertising, but a real substance your body can produce on its own — simply under the sun. This vitamin is D. And it is perhaps the most underappreciated and essential nutrient in modern medicine. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1 billion people worldwide suffer from vitamin D deficiency. In Russia this figure reaches 70–90% of the population, especially in the autumn–winter period. Many people don’t even suspect that they are lacking it. And yet — deficiency is linked to chronic fatigue, depression, weakened immunity, osteoporosis, autoimmune diseases, and higher mortality. In this article — everything you should know about vitamin D: from how it works, to how to obtain it, how to check your level, and how not to harm yourself. Plain, honest and based on scientific data.
In This Article:
Vitamin D Is Not a Vitamin It Is a Hormone
Despite its name, vitamin D is not a vitamin but a hormone. More precisely — a steroid hormone that influences the function of more than 2,000 genes in the body. There are several forms: D3 — the most active and effective form. The process begins on the skin: Important: They are often non-specific — that is, similar to other conditions. But if you notice several of these signs — you should get tested. It does not simply cause fatigue. It increases the risk of serious diseases: The only way is a blood test for 25(OH)D (25-hydroxyvitamin D). Recommendation: take the test once a year, especially in autumn or winter. Normal ranges vary, but here are modern recommendations: Group — Recommended dose (D3) Children 0–12 months — 400–1000 IU/day Children 1–18 years — 600–1000 IU/day Adults up to 70 years — 800–2000 IU/day Older than 70 years — 1000–2000 IU/day Pregnant and lactating — 1000–2000 IU/day People with obesity, GI diseases — 2000–4000 IU/day Important: However: even with a perfect diet it's hard to get more than 200–400 IU per day. This is not enough. Yes, but this is extremely rare. Toxicity occurs with prolonged intake of more than 10 000 IU per day without supervision. But! Such doses are not recommended and should be prescribed only by a doctor. Truth: Vitamin D stores are depleted quickly. By February the level falls to a minimum. Truth: This is not enough to maintain normal levels. Truth: D3 — the natural form. It is safe at proper doses. Truth: Deficiency is often asymptomatic, but harms from within. Truth: It does not cure, but reduces the risk of severe progression. This is prevention, not medicine. Vitamin D is not just a vitamin, but a vital hormone that affects almost all body systems. Its deficiency is not a trivial matter, but a real health threat associated with cancer, heart attacks, depression and disability. But the good news is that fixing this is easy: Vitamin D is your internal solar shield. Give yourself Vitamin D. Because health begins with one molecule.
There Are Several Forms and D3 Is The Most Active Form
There are several forms: D3 — the most active and effective form. The process begins on the skin: Important: They are often non-specific — that is, similar to other conditions. But if you notice several of these signs — you should get tested. The only way is a blood test for 25(OH)D (25-hydroxyvitamin D). Recommendation: take the test once a year, especially in autumn or winter. Normal ranges vary, but here are modern recommendations: Group — Recommended dose (D3) Children 0–12 months — 400–1000 IU/day Children 1–18 years — 600–1000 IU/day Adults up to 70 years — 800–2000 IU/day Older than 70 years — 1000–2000 IU/day Pregnant and lactating — 1000–2000 IU/day People with obesity, GI diseases — 2000–4000 IU/day Important: However: even with a perfect diet it's hard to get more than 200–400 IU per day. This is not enough. Yes, but this is extremely rare. Toxicity occurs with prolonged intake of more than 10 000 IU per day without supervision. But! Such doses are not recommended and should be prescribed only by a doctor. Truth: Vitamin D stores are depleted quickly. By February the level falls to a minimum. Truth: This is not enough to maintain normal levels. Truth: D3 — the natural form. It is safe at proper doses. Truth: Deficiency is often asymptomatic, but harms from within. Truth: It does not cure, but reduces the risk of severe progression. This is prevention, not medicine. Vitamin D is not just a vitamin, but a vital hormone that affects almost all body systems. Its deficiency is not a trivial matter, but a real health threat associated with cancer, heart attacks, depression and disability. But the good news is that fixing this is easy: Vitamin D is your internal solar shield. Give yourself Vitamin D. Because health begins with one molecule.
Testing, Daily Needs and Safety: What You Need to Know
Recommendations for daily intake (D3) - Children 0–12 months: 400–1000 IU/day - Children 1–18 years: 600–1000 IU/day - Adults up to 70 years: 800–2000 IU/day - Older than 70 years: 1000–2000 IU/day - Pregnant and lactating: 1000–2000 IU/day - People with obesity or GI diseases: 2000–4000 IU/day Important: However: even with a perfect diet it's hard to get more than 200–400 IU per day. This is not enough. Yes, but this is very rare. Toxicity occurs with long-term intake of more than 10 000 IU per day without supervision. But such doses are not recommended and should be prescribed only by a doctor. Truth: stores are depleted quickly. By February levels fall to a minimum. Truth: this is not enough to maintain normal levels. Truth: D3 is the natural form. It is safe at proper doses. Truth: deficiency is often asymptomatic, but harms from within. Truth: it does not cure, but reduces the risk of severe progression. This is prevention, not medicine. Vitamin D is not just a vitamin, but a vital hormone that affects almost all body systems. Its deficiency is not a trivial matter, but a real health threat associated with cancer, heart attacks, depression, and disability. But the good news is that fixing this is easy: Vitamin D is your internal solar shield. Give yourself Vitamin D. Because health begins with one molecule.
Final Take: Vitamin D Is Your Solar Shield
Vitamin D is not just a vitamin, but a life-essential hormone that affects nearly every system in the body. Its deficiency is a real health threat linked to cancer, heart disease, depression and disability. The good news is that fixing it is easy. Vitamin D is your internal solar shield. Give yourself Vitamin D. Because health begins with one molecule.
