Vitamin D3 is the common name for cholecalciferol.
Contents
Uses
Vitamin D3 can be taken as a supplement to improve overall health or used to treat osteoporosis.
It can also be used to treat conditions in which vitamin D3 levels may be low, such as in people who have underactive parathyroid glands, low levels of phosphate in the blood, or hereditary conditions in which the body doesn’t respond to the parathyroid hormone.
Vitamin D3 also encourages the kidneys to recycle phosphate back into the blood, which helps the blood stay at the right pH.
Benefits
Vitamin D3 and Acne
There is some debate about whether vitamin D3 works to treat acne.
The Vitamin D Council website states that lack of sunlight may increase acne, and some people notice their acne worsening during the winter and improving during the summer.
Still, there aren’t any clinical studies supporting the use of vitamin D3 for acne.
There’s also very little evidence supporting the use of vitamin D in preventing acne.
However, some anecdotal reports claim that acne improved after taking vitamin D supplements or applying it (in oil form) to their skin.
Vitamin D3 Levels and Weight
Recent studies show that people who are overweight may have higher levels of vitamin D.
The reason is thought to be because vitamin D is an oily substance that tends to get stored in the body’s fat tissue.
So, the more body fat you have, the more easily the body can store vitamin D.
If you are underweight, your levels may be lower than you’d expect because you have less body fat in which to store extra vitamin D.
Cautions
In general, side effects from taking vitamin D3 tend to be rare.
Serious side effects of vitamin D3 include but are not limited to:
- Allergic reactions like rash or itching
- Swelling of the face, throat, and tongue
- Severe dizziness
- Trouble breathing
- Changes in heart rhythm including irregular or racing heart beat
Although it doesn’t happen very often, vitamin D can cause:
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Weakness and lack of energy
- Fatigue
Interactions
You should avoid taking vitamin D3 if you are taking the following drugs:
- Zemplar (paricalcitol)
- Donovex or Sorilux (calcipotriene)
- Hectorol (doxercalciferol)
- Mineral oil
- Alli or Xenical (orlistat)
- Bile acid sequestrants like Welchol (colesevelam), Colestid (colestipol), Locholest or Prevalite (cholestyramine)
Other names
Calciferol, Drisdol, cholecalciferol
References
WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-6152/cholecalciferol-vitamin-d3-oral/details
EveryDayHealth, http://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/vitamin-d3