Cholecalciferol is the scientific name for vitamin D3. Technically, choleclciferol it is not a vitamin. It is a secosteroid hormone, which has similarities to the structure of steroids. For this reason you will often find cholecalciferol in a variety of supplements which claim to boost testosterone production.
Cholecalciferol is absorbed in the body via sunlight, specifically ultraviolet B light. You body can get all of the cholecalciferol that it needs by spending about 10 minutes a day in the direct sunlight.
The good news is that cholecalciferol can also be synthesized. What this means for you is that if you live in an area that doesn’t get a lot of sun or you don’t get a lot of sun exposure, you can get cholecalciferol from vitamins.
Cholecalciferol can be quite toxic to humans and animals if too much is taken. Cholecalciferol is often used in poison designed to kill mice and rats by pest control businesses.
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Cholecalciferol Benefits There is no doubt that vitamin D in general is simply good for you. Cholecalciferol is one of the major D vitamins and is often combined with vitamin D2 as well. In supplements, when cholecalciferol and D2 are combined you will often see calciferol as the ingre... more
There is no doubt that vitamin D in general is simply good for you. Cholecalciferol is one of the major D vitamins and is often combined with vitamin D2 as well.
In supplements, when cholecalciferol and D2 are combined you will often see calciferol as the ingredient name. When you see vitamin D supplements, generally they are vitamin D3.
The major benefit to cholecalciferol is the fact that it helps the body absorb calcium. Without cholecalciferol, you would not be able to absorb any calcium at all. According to WebMD, cholecalciferol is essential for developing strong bones. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, cholecalciferol is three to four times more potent than any other D vitamin. It is for this reason that cholecalciferol is combined with calcium to treat osteoporosis.
Cholecalciferol can also be used to treat calcium deficiency, usually when combined with calcium supplements as well. However, if someone is getting enough calcium but the body doesn’t seem to absorb it, then a cholecalciferol is prescribed alone.
There are no indications that cholecalciferol has any other health benefits outside of the treatment of bone disorders such as rickets, osteoporosis, osteomalacia and any condition that prevents calcium from being absorbed in the body. If you see any supplements that suggest other uses, be aware that there are no studies to back up their claims.
According to WebMd and the Institutes of Medicine, the recommended daily dose of cholecalciferol is based upon age but not gender. Here is a breakdown of how much cholecalciferol you need to have each day:
The reason it increases after 70 years is because the body absorbs less cholecalciferol at this age.
Unfortunately, too much cholecalciferol can be downright dangerous. You should not exceed the daily recommended amount of cholecalciferol because it can cause serious side effects and lasting damage.
You will find that there are some supplements that contain as much as 10,000 IU of cholecalciferol. This is way too high to be safe!
Some of the side effects of an overdose of cholecalciferol include:
According to the National Institutes of Health, toxic levels start at 10,000 IU per day. Studies do show that people older than 9 years of age can take up to 4,000 IU per day without toxicity concerns. However, this should only be done with the approval and supervision of a medical doctor.
It is important to note that toxicity only occurs when taking cholecalciferol supplements, not from prolonged exposure to the sun. The skin has an automatic protection against absorbing too much cholecalciferol and will only absorb what the body needs.
Most people don’t get the cholecalciferol that they need from food. There aren’t many foods that even contain vitamin D, which is why so many people look to supplements.
Some foods that contain cholecalciferol are:
Vitamin D3 is commonly added to dairy products, and has been since the 1940s, according to Professor Anthony W. Norman, Department of Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences at the University of California, Riverside. A cup of any type of fortified milk contains about 30% of your daily requirement for cholecalciferol.
Check out the supplement finder and compare products containing cholecalciferol today!
| Overdose Causes Serious Side Effects |
| Vitamin D, Alfacalcidol |
| Absorption Of Calcium |
| Bone Strength |
| Osteoporosis |
| Testosterone Production |
| Osteomalcia |
| Rickets |