Vitamin D

Ingredients A-Z

Overview

Vitamin D is an oil-soluble vitamin essential to maintain bone health and immune system. It is also known as sunshine vitamin that can be produced by our body through direct skin exposure to sunlight. In general, sun exposure time of 5-30 minutes twice a week is often adequate but varies depending on skin pigmentation, season, and time of day¹⁰. In foods and dietary supplements, vitamin D exists in two main forms, D₂ (ergocalciferol) and D₃ (cholecalciferol). In fact, vitamin D₃ is more effective in raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels compared to vitamin D₂. Dietary sources of vitamin D included salmon, tuna, mackerel, egg yolks and fortified milk.

Vitamin D plays an important role to promote calcium absorption and maintain bone mineral density. The deficiency of vitamin D may increase the risk of rickets, cognitive decline, sarcopenia, cardiovascular disease, impaired glucose-mediated insulin secretion and viral infection.

Key indications

Bone health

Numerous research showed that adequate intake of vitamin D helps to ease the risk of rickets and osteomalacia. A daily intake of 5,000 -10,000IU of vitamin D is recommended for children age 1 year or older who suffer from vitamin D deficiency rickets and the dose can be reduced to 400IU daily when there is radiographic evidence of healing³. The mechanism of vitamin D promotes bone mineralisation included
improving intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus as well as facilitating osteoclast function¹¹.

Immnuity

Vitamin D receptors are found in immune system agents such as B cells, T cells and antigen-presenting
cells⁴. It enhances the differentiation of macrophages which helps to boost immunity toward bacterial and
viral agents. Furthermore, vitamin D helps to prevent respiratory tract infections via the induction of
antimicrobial peptides that build protection against respiratory pathogens¹³. Research indicates that a
therapeutic dose of vitamin D (200IU/day) resulted in a significant decrease (42%) in the incidence of
influenza infection among school children⁵.

Adverse effects

Licorice is generally well tolerated

No adverse event was reported

Dosage range

Licorice extract has been tested in several studies over the years with typical dosages from 100mg up to 1000mg in 1-3 divided dosages for 2-24 weeks. DGL (GutGard®) 150mg either in a separate dose or a single dose for 30 days up to 60 days²,⁴.

Contraindications/cautions

Licorice extract might have some interactions with some medications. Ace inhibitors & diuretics could affect the effectiveness

Adverse effects

Licorice is generally well tolerated

No adverse event was reported

Dosage range

Contraindications/cautions

Licorice extract might have some interactions with some medications. Ace inhibitors & diuretics could affect the effectiveness

References :

Wittschier, N., Faller, G., & Hensel, A. (2009). Aqueous extracts and polysaccharides from liquorice roots (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) inhibit adhesion of Helicobacter pylori to human gastric mucosa. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 125(2), 218–223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2009.07.009
Raveendra, K. R., Jayachandra, Srinivasa, V., Sushma, K. R., Allan, J. J., Goudar, K. S., Shivaprasad, H. N., Venkateshwarlu, K., Geetharani, P., Sushma, G., & Agarwal, A. (2012). An Extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra (GutGard) Alleviates Symptoms of Functional Dyspepsia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2012, 216970. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/216970
Schulz, C., Koch, N., Schütte, K., Pieper, D. H., & Malfertheiner, P. (2015). H. pylori and its modulation of gastrointestinal microbiota. Journal of digestive diseases, 16(3), 109–117. https://doi.org/10.1111/1751-2980.12233
Puram, S., Suh, H. C., Kim, S. U., Bethapudi, B., Joseph, J. A., Agarwal, A., & Kudiganti, V. (2013). Effect of GutGard in the Management of Helicobacter pylori: A Randomized Double Blind Placebo Controlled Study. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2013, 263805. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/263805

References :

Wittschier, N., Faller, G., & Hensel, A. (2009). Aqueous extracts and polysaccharides from liquorice roots (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) inhibit adhesion of Helicobacter pylori to human gastric mucosa. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 125(2), 218–223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2009.07.009
Raveendra, K. R., Jayachandra, Srinivasa, V., Sushma, K. R., Allan, J. J., Goudar, K. S., Shivaprasad, H. N., Venkateshwarlu, K., Geetharani, P., Sushma, G., & Agarwal, A. (2012). An Extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra (GutGard) Alleviates Symptoms of Functional Dyspepsia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2012, 216970. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/216970
Schulz, C., Koch, N., Schütte, K., Pieper, D. H., & Malfertheiner, P. (2015). H. pylori and its modulation of gastrointestinal microbiota. Journal of digestive diseases, 16(3), 109–117. https://doi.org/10.1111/1751-2980.12233
Puram, S., Suh, H. C., Kim, S. U., Bethapudi, B., Joseph, J. A., Agarwal, A., & Kudiganti, V. (2013). Effect of GutGard in the Management of Helicobacter pylori: A Randomized Double Blind Placebo Controlled Study. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2013, 263805. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/263805

The material is prepared for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a piece of personal medical advice. Owing to each person’s varying health needs, a physician should be consulted before acting on any information provided in this material. Although every effort is made to ensure that this material is accurate, it is compiled for internal use only and should not be considered definitive. Neither VitaHealth nor its employees, or information providers shall be responsible or liable for any errors, inaccuracies, or other defects in the information contained in this publication.