Most people know that it’s important to go outside and get sun exposure daily, but you may not know why it’s essential. This is because when the ultraviolet rays of the sun reach your skin cells, it provides the energy for cholesterol in the cells to produce vitamin D, also known as “the sunshine vitamin.” Vitamin D is extremely important to the healthy functioning of our bodies, and it can be dangerous if there aren’t adequate levels of it within the body.

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Some people require extra supplementation of vitamin D in order to maintain the levels required for both health and happiness. There are natural ways of boosting your body’s levels, through your diet and through exposure to sunlight, but people can also supplement using manufactured vitamin D. They can choose to take oral supplements in a pill form, or to get injections with a higher concentration of vitamin D. Compared to the orally ingested version of vitamin D, however, the vitamin D3 injection benefits outshine the oral form of the vitamin most times.

The Basics: What Is Vitamin D? Why Is It Important?

Vitamin D is essential to the healthy functioning of the body and especially for building and maintaining strong and healthy bones. Vitamin D is naturally produced by the body and is also found naturally in several foods. There are two forms of vitamin D, vitamin D2 and D3. Vitamin D2 is known as ergocalciferol, and it is found in plants and mushrooms. Vitamin D3, known as cholecalciferol, is more commonly found in meats, such as animal foods and fatty fish, and in egg yolks. 25 (OH) D, the parent molecule of vitamin D3, is the significantly more effective form of Vitamin D in terms of increasing and maintaining appropriate blood levels. Vitamin D3 is the more active form of vitamin D in the body.

Vitamin D promotes the gut absorption of the minerals calcium and phosphorus, which are important for bone structure and bone health. Calcium is a mineral that is maintained in very tight control in the blood and body. It is essential for the function of many tissues, such as muscle and bones. Calcium is stored in the bone and released into the blood when needed. Vitamin D is required to provide the calcium needed to store in bones. Vitamin D clearly plays an important role in the healthy functioning of our entire body, and when someone doesn’t have sufficient levels of this key vitamin in their bloodstream, it can lead to problems with cell growth, nerve and muscle function, and glucose metabolism (NIH, 2020)

Sunshine And Vitamin D

As we already know, vitamin D is known as the “sunshine vitamin.” This is because when the sun’s ultraviolet rays hit your skin cells, your skin produces vitamin D from cholesterol. The sunlight gives our body the energy that it needs to synthesize vitamin D. But you probably also know that if people get too much sun exposure, it can lead to skin aging and skin cancer. Too much sunlight also puts you at risk for sunburn, heatstroke, eye damage, and skin changes such as moles, freckles, and leathery skin. Sunscreen is important to prevent the sun from being harmful to your skin and your body, but it can also decrease your body’s ability to produce vitamin D.

Scientists recommend that you allow your skin time in the sunlight without sunscreen. Some studies suggest that you should wear an SPF of 30 or lower, as higher levels of SPF sunscreen inhibit the body’s ability to produce vitamin D. It is important to take caution with exposure to UV light, so it is recommended that people supplement their Vitamin D levels through their diet or additional supplementation if they are at higher risk from sun exposure or cannot get enough sun exposure. People with more pigment in their skin, over age 50, and those who live further from the equator cannot convert as much vitamin D in their skin.

The amount of vitamin D that your skin produces depends on various factors, mainly where you live and your personal lifestyle. The amount of vitamin D you produce depends on the time of day, the season, your latitude, and your skin tone. Studies show that the best time to get exposure to sunlight is midday because the sun is at its peak around noon. Your body requires less time outside to absorb UV rays to convert vitamin D. Depending on the location you live you will need anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes in the sun three times per week to maintain healthy levels of vitamin D. Scientists recommend that you expose about a third of your skin area to allow your body to absorb sufficient levels of sunlight.

Vitamin D Deficiencies

It is more common to have a vitamin D deficiency than you may think. In fact, a little over 40% of Americans are vitamin D deficient (Parva et al., 2018). That means that four out of ten people in the United States have a vitamin D deficiency. Although it varies, typically, the recommended dose of Vitamin D is 600 International Units (IUs) daily. The recommended amount is less for babies during their first year of life, around 400 IU. And as we age, our bodies tend to naturally produce less vitamin D, so it is recommended that adults who are 71 years old and older get about 800 IUs of vitamin D every day. Even these numbers vary from person to person, especially if someone is battling an illness or disease (NIH, 2020)

Symptoms and signs that you may have a vitamin D deficiency include fatigue or tiredness, bone, muscle, and joint pain, low mood, low energy, frequent illness, anxiety, irritability, and weight gain. However, many people will only experience subtle symptoms if they have a vitamin D deficiency. To confirm a vitamin D deficiency, you must consult with a doctor who can order blood tests that will assess the levels of vitamin D. Then, they will be able to determine if supplementation and injection therapy will be beneficial for you and your personal health needs.

There are several reasons that someone may be deficient in vitamin D. Either they didn’t get enough of the vitamin from their diet, or sometimes there is a malabsorption problem, which means that your body isn’t taking the necessary nutrients from the food you’re eating. It is also possible that someone’s liver or kidney cannot effectively convert vitamin D into its active form, or that the medications they are taking are interfering with the body’s ability to absorb and convert it. It is common for those who don’t get enough exposure to sunlight, especially people who work the night shift and people who live in dark environments or locations, to experience vitamin D deficiencies.

Other people who are at high risk of vitamin D deficiencies include:

• Adults over the age of 70, because your body doesn’t naturally make enough vitamin D when exposed to sunlight as efficiently as when people are young
• People with dark skin, because the melanin prevents their ability to produce vitamin D from exposure to sunlight
• People who live in areas far from the equator, especially during the winter months
• People with Crohn’s disease or celiac disease who don’t handle fat properly, as vitamin D needs fat to be absorbed and effectively activated
• People who are obese
• People who have had gastric bypass surgery
• People with osteoporosis
• People with chronic kidney or liver disease
• Breastfed infants, because human milk is a poor source of vitamin D
• People with granulomatous disease, which is caused by chronic inflammation (granulomatous diseases include sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, and histoplasmosis)
• People with lymphoma, which is a type of cancer of the lymphatic system (tumors found on lymph nodes, spleen, thymus gland, and bone marrow)
• People who take medicines that affect vitamin D metabolism, such as anti-seizure drugs, antifungal drugs, and HIV/AIDS medicines (Holick & Gordon, 2011)                                                         

While these people listed above are at a higher risk of being deficient in vitamin D3, anybody in the general population might have a vitamin D deficiency. Deficiencies can pose dangerous symptoms, complications, and can lead to more severe illnesses and diseases, so it is important to find deficiencies early on before they cause further problems. For example, a vitamin D deficiency can lead to a loss of bone density, leading to osteoporosis, osteomalacia, and broken bones. In children, a vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets. There are also associations with low levels of vitamin D and illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and multiple sclerosis. Whether a vitamin D deficiency causes these medical conditions or is a byproduct or symptom is unclear. Supplementing with vitamin D3 injections benefits the immune system and the nervous system, and bone health.

Vitamin D3 Injection Benefits

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, and especially during the winter months, vitamin D supplementation has become even more important. As most people in America opt to stay indoors and avoid interactions with other people, they may also affect their personal blood levels of vitamin D. There are a few studies that sufficient levels of the vitamin may prevent someone from contracting the SARS-CoV-19, and if someone tests positive for COVID-19, their symptoms may be more severe if they are vitamin D deficient (BU School of Medicine, 2020).

There are countless benefits to vitamin D supplementation, which can be done orally, or the injection can be administered intramuscularly. Typically, the injected supplementation will be more quickly absorbed into the body. Therefore, the benefits will happen faster compared to oral intake of vitamin D. The method of injection also does not require a strict regimen, so that patients can live their day-to-day lives without having to worry.

The potential benefits from vitamin D3 injections include, but are not limited to:

• Stronger and healthier bones and teeth
• Decreased risk of fractures
• Improved function of the immune system
• Protection against heart disease
• Increased sex drive in both women and men
• Reduced risk of hypertension, because Vitamin D reduces systolic blood pressure
• Reduced risks associated with obesity
• Lower rise in glucose levels, which may lower risk of diabetes
• Improves symptoms of depression, because vitamin D can increase levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine which improve your mood
• Reduced risk of cognitive decline, especially among the elderly population, is one of the essential vitamin D3 injection benefits
• Reduced risk of Parkinson’s disease
• Reduced risk of Multiple Sclerosis
• Reduced risk of Influenza A
• Reduced risk of bacterial vaginosis, especially in pregnant women, a deficiency of Vitamin D increases the risk for bacterial vaginosis
• Reduced risk of pelvic floor disorders
• Protection against age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
• Protection against seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
• Improves restless leg syndrome symptoms
• Improves vitiligo and psoriasis

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Take Too Much Vitamin D?

Yes, it is possible to take too much vitamin D. You should always follow your healthcare provider’s instructions and prescribed dosage of the supplemental vitamin D. A misuse of vitamin D supplements is the biggest cause of vitamin D toxicity. If you inject or ingest too much, this is known as vitamin D toxicity, and it can be harmful and dangerous if taken in high excess. Symptoms that you have taken too much vitamin D include vomiting or nausea, poor appetite, constipation, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, dehydration, and kidney stones. High amounts of vitamin D may also damage your kidneys or raise the levels of calcium to a dangerous amount, leading to hypercalcemia. Symptoms of hypercalcemia include confusion and disorientation, and problems with heart rhythm (NIH, 2020).

Is It Safe To Supplement With Vitamin D3?

Yes, vitamin D3 is generally safe, and the potential vitamin D3 injection benefits are numerous. However, you should always consult with a trusted healthcare provider before beginning any new medications or supplements. Furthermore, you should follow their instructions when supplementing with vitamin D3 because if you take too much vitamin D, it can be dangerous. You should not use vitamin D supplements if you are allergic to vitamin D or have high vitamin D levels already in your body (this is known as hypervitaminosis D). You should also avoid vitamin D3 injections if you have high calcium levels in your blood, known as hypercalcemia. Before beginning supplemental injections, tell your doctor if you currently have or have in the past had heart disease, kidney disease, or an electrolyte imbalance. You and your doctor will be the final determinants on if this treatment therapy is right for you.

How Often Should I Administer It To Get Full Vitamin D3 Injection Benefits?

For most patients, it is recommended that they receive 1-3 injections per year, which are administered at divided intervals. The frequency varies, however, depending on a patient’s specific circumstances such as their medical history and their personal blood profile. If you have a more severe case of vitamin D deficiency, for example, your physician may recommend more frequent injections.

Where To Get A Vitamin D3 Injection

Clearly, there are various vitamin D3 injection benefits and minimal risk associated with vitamin D supplementation. If you already know that you’re vitamin D deficient, or you have confirmed your deficiency with blood tests, then you might be ready to start your journey with vitamin D3 injections. Vitamin D3 injections can help you feel your best, which starts from within. You may be wondering where to start, or you may be feeling overwhelmed by the options. Consider starting at Invigor Medical, a facility that is based in the United States.

Invigor Medical is an online clinic. Our staff is highly qualified and are experts in their field, so you can have confidence that you receive the best, high-quality care when you work with Invigor Medical.

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We offer much more than Vitamin D3 injections; we also offer medications that fall under women’s and men’s health, weight management, age management, and hormone replacement therapy. We have patient-centered customer service that will ensure your experience with Invigor Medical is smooth and painless, and we can answer any questions or address any concerns you might have about our facility and the medications we sell.

To learn more about Invigor Medical, or to purchase your vitamin D3 injection solution today, please visit the website at https://www.invigormedical.com/.

DISCLAIMER

While we strive to always provide accurate, current, and safe advice in all of our articles and guides, it’s important to stress that they are no substitute for medical advice from a doctor or healthcare provider.  You should always consult a practicing professional who can diagnose your specific case.  The content we’ve included in this guide is merely meant to be informational and does not constitute medical advice. 

References:

1. Parva, N. R., Tadepalli, S., Singh, P., Qian, A., Joshi, R., Kandala, H., Nookala, V. K., & Cheriyath, P. (2018). Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency and Associated Risk Factors in the US Population (2011-2012). Cureus, 10(6), e2741. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.2741
2. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements – Vitamin D. (2020). Retrieved from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/
3. BU School of Medicine. (2020). Adequate levels of vitamin D reduces complications, death among COVID-19 patients. Retrieved from https://www.bumc.bu.edu/busm/2020/09/25/adequate-levels-of-vitamin-d-reduces-complications-death-among-covid-19-patients/
4. Michael F. Holick, PhD, MD, Catherine M. Gordon, MD, Patient Guide to Vitamin D Deficiency, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 96, Issue 7, 1 July 2011, Pages 1–2, https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem.96.7.zeg33a

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