Vitamin D, a unique entity in the realm of vitamins and minerals, boasts a dual identity. While termed as a 'vitamin', it manifests behaviors of a hormone. Comprising a group of fat-soluble secosteroids, Vitamin D's primary mission is to bolster the intestinal absorption of crucial minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphate. Among the types of Vitamin D, the two superheroes are vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol).
The beauty of Vitamin D3 lies in its synthesis. Unlike many nutrients that are predominantly intake-dependent, cholecalciferol emerges from the skin's lower layers. This synthesis is a delicate dance of photochemical reactions under UVB light exposure, either gifted by the sun or from UVB lamps. While the sun plays a generous role, certain foods like fatty fish and UV-exposed mushrooms, fortified milk, and cereals do their bit in ensuring Vitamin D intake.
Upon entering the body, Vitamin D remains dormant. Its true potential is unlocked through a two-step activation process: an initial conversion in the liver followed by a final transformation in the kidneys. Cholecalciferol undergoes a metamorphosis into calcifediol in the liver. This compound, in the conducive environment of the kidneys, becomes calcitriol - the star player of the Vitamin D team.
Calcitriol doesn't just float aimlessly in our bloodstream. It's a meticulous regulator of calcium and phosphate concentrations, a guardian of bone health, and an influencer in cellular growth, neuromuscular functions, immune responses, and inflammation control.
The lore of Vitamin D traces back to a quest - a quest to unveil the mystery behind rickets in children. This journey led scientists to this nutrient, which, when deficient, caused rickets, a childhood form of osteomalacia. Today, Vitamin D supplements stand as sentinels guarding against osteomalacia and rickets. The umbrella of Vitamin D's health benefits is vast but occasionally ambiguous. While some studies vouch for its role in reducing mortality, especially among the elderly, others suggest its benefits, barring prevention of certain bone maladies, might be subtle.
Venturing beyond bones and muscles, Vitamin D3's influence potentially extends to women's vaginal health. Calcium, under the patronage of Vitamin D, plays a role not just in bones but in muscle functionality, which includes the pivotal pelvic floor muscles. Furthermore, Vitamin D's nuanced role in immune modulation can craft a balanced vaginal microbiome, possibly fending off infections. These reasons and more are why D3 is a crucial part of the natural vaginal dryness remedy, Soaking Wet. Its anti-inflammatory attributes might alleviate vaginal dryness or irritation. This territory of Vitamin D's role is still being charted. For women, any change in Vitamin D intake should be a well-informed decision, after a good amount of research, and if need be, under the guidance of your doctor.
https://www.jabfm.org/content/22/6/698
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/
