Skip to main content

Cholecalciferol for Vitamin D deficiencies: How does it work? What's the science behind it?

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in the digestion of calcium. It improves the ability of our body to absorb calcium and phosphate from the villi in our intestines, regulates the rate at which bones release calcium in our bloodstream, and also promotes the reabsorption of it back into the kidneys. This way, calcium levels are constantly maintained in our bodies and ensure that our bones are nice and strong. But, when your vitamin D levels are low due to a lack of sun exposure, a nutritionally deficient diet, or a metabolic syndrome; cholecalciferol is often advised by a healthcare professional or a doctor to help your body get back to normal. Cholecalciferol, more commonly known as vitamin D3, is an inactive form of the biologically useful form of vitamin D in the body. When cholecalciferol is ingested externally through dietary supplements, it is subjected to multiple chemical reactions in the body that finally cause an increase in the Vitamin D levels in our blood.

How cholecalciferol turns into biologically active Vitamin D:

·        Cholecalciferol is transported to the liver through the bloodstream after digestion. In the liver, cholecalciferol undergoes hydroxylation (addition of a hydroxyl group (-OH)) by an enzyme called 25-hydroxylase to turn into 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, usually called Calcidiol.

·        Then, the next part takes place in the kidneys, where the Calcidiol is further hydroxylated once again by 1-Alpha-hydroxylase (another enzyme) to produce the biologically active form of vitamin D, scientifically written as 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol or Calcitrol.

Side effects due to excess consumption (albeit rare and generally safe to use):

·        Hypercalcemia: When your blood has too much calcium in it, which can manifest into symptoms of nausea, vomiting, constipation, increased thirst, frequent urination, muscle weakness, cognitive difficulties, kidney stones, etc.

·        Calcium deposits: Long-term hypercalcemia can cause calcium to deposit in your blood vessels, kidneys, and other organs, resulting in impaired functioning of these organs.

·        Digestive issues: Excess vitamin D can cause digestive tract irritation, causing the symptoms similar to hypercalcemia, like nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.

·        Weakened bones: Ironically, too much vitamin D can also cause weak bones due to the hypercalcemia associated with excess vitamin D consumption.

Comments

Post a Comment

Please add your name when you comment down below!

Popular posts from this blog

The top 4 diets for PCOS: DASH diet, high protein diet, reduced calorie diet, and the keto diet. Which is better?

 PCOS is a  condition wherein people have imbalanced hormone levels. These imbalances present themselves in the form of polycystic ovaries, chronic irregular periods, and higher levels of testosterone in the form of increased body/facial hair. Among people who have PCOS, 80% of patients will hold fat around their belly and gain weight because of the effects of hormonal imbalances on their bodies. These effects include insulin resistance, gut dysbiosis, low-grade inflammation and more.  To treat this weight gain, doctors tend to recommend different diets to PCOS patients. But, the efficacy of these diets are heavily dependent on the person's individual situation. There are four major dietary approaches used to lose weight for people with PCOS: Reduced calorie diets, DASH diets, high protein diets, and keto diets. For most people, a combination of all of these diets will work best.  Here's a short explanation of each of these diets:  1) Reduced calorie diet: You e...
Post a Comment
Read more

Eliglustat for Gaucher disease: How does it work? How is it consumed? Side effects? Is it safe? Efficacy? Research? Evidence?

Gaucher disease is a rare genetic disorder wherein the body lacks the ability to break down a specific kind of fat, which leads to accumulation thereof around various parts of the body, such as organs and bones. Eliglustat is one of the most common medications prescribed to help treat the disease by reducing production of the fat itself.  The disease is an inherited lysosomal storage disorder which is caused by an enzyme deficiency, specifically a low level of glucocerebrosidase. This enzyme breaks down a fat with a similar name, glucocerebroside. When the body lacks production of the enzyme, the fat accumulates around and in cells of the spleen, liver, and bone marrow. This causes a variety of symptoms in patients, and can present itself in bizarre ways like: enlarged spleens and livers, increased bone pain and occurrence of fractures, fatigue, anemia and even increased bruising.  Eliglustat, the medicine provided to patients, works in one way: substrate reduction. Basically,...
Post a Comment
Read more

How does oxymetazoline work to clear your nasal passages?

Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride is a topical nasal decongestant that is often found in most OTC nasal sprays like Otrivin in India. It works quite effectively with regards to relieving people from nasal congestion caused by things like colds, allergies, or sinusitis by constricting blood vessels in the nasal passages. The medication is an alpha-adrenergic receptor binder, meaning that it binds to the alpha-adrenergic receptors. These receptors are found on the smooth muscle cells which line blood vessels in the nasal mucosa. When oxymetazoline is applied to the nasal mucosa through droplets, it stimulates the receptors and triggers them to cause constriction of nasal blood vessels. Through vasoconstriction, there is a reduce in blood flow to the region, causing decreased swelling and inflammation. It also reduces how much mucus is produced, since it reduces the quantity of fluid that leaks into the passages. Thus, air can flow more freely in the passage, providing relief from the blocked n...
Post a Comment
Read more