The Vitamin D3 Dilemma: What I Learned from Taking It for a Month
Hello everyone!
I've been following the research on vitamin D for a while now, and there's still a lot of debate about its effects on the body, who should take it, and so on.
Some people say it's only for kids and pregnant women, while others claim that most people are deficient and should take it.
As a resident of the Ural region, I have to agree with the latter group, as I've personally felt the effects of deficiency.
But it wasn't until I started taking vitamin D3 that I noticed a significant difference.
It all started when I got sick with a virus. Everyone was talking about how vitamin D can boost your immune system and prevent hair loss.
I thought, 'Why not give it a try?' So I chose the NOW brand, as it was recommended by a friend who sold vitamins.
I didn't read any reviews at the time, but I'm glad I made that decision.
☀️ INFORMATION ☀️
NOW Vitamin D-3 5000 IU
Produced by: Now foods, USA
Dose: 5000 IU, which is the optimal dose for therapeutic and preventive purposes.
There are also 400, 1000, 2000, and 10,000 IU options available.
Number of capsules: 240, also available in 120-count packs.
Where to buy: I'm not even sure what the store's name was, but I saw it in pharmacies, ZIA, and on WB, OZON (no guarantees about the authenticity).
Price: around 1500 rubles for 240 capsules.
Description:
I was blown away by the formula developed by the experts at this American brand, who specialize in top-notch supplements, mineral complexes, and cosmetic products.
They've created a vitamin D3 5000 IU formula in a super-easy-to-swallow capsule format that's packed with a high concentration of the active ingredient.
This means you can see noticeable improvements in your body's function in no time, thanks to the reduced frequency of use.
The vitamin D3 5000 IU in this supplement is also boosted by olive oil extract, which helps speed up the absorption of the organic compound.
So, how does it affect your body?
Regulates calcium and phosphorus levels;
Helps maintain bone structure;
Supports thyroid function;
Boosts your immune system;
Reduces your susceptibility to skin issues;
Normally regulates blood clotting;
Helps you cope with stress.
It's a common misconception that only kids and pregnant women need vitamin D.
But the truth is, adults need it too – not just for bone health, but also to support overall well-being.
Vitamin D plays a role in many bodily functions (check out the studies online for more info!).
If you're not getting enough, it's essential to top it up, but the only way to know for sure is with a test.
☀️ PACKAGING ☀️
One thing I've always liked about NOW is their consistent, simple style that's become instantly recognizable after years of knowing the brand.
Nothing's really changed, and that's what I trust.
In fact, I've had such good experiences with them that when I see their products from a distance, I head straight to them or Solgar.
The packaging is surprisingly small, and I'm still amazed that 240 capsules fit inside.
I didn't bother counting them, but I do trust the brand.
For comparison, look at the size of another brand's packaging.
The capsules are almost the same size, but there are only 90 of them, taking up about a quarter of the space.
The back of the packaging has all the information in English, so I didn't need a translator.
Everything's pretty straightforward, and I think most people will understand it.
Below, I'll write the instructions for taking the vitamins in Russian.
The lid is convenient, but not super reliable - it doesn't unscrew, it just clicks shut.
I didn't have any issues personally, though - I even took the bottle in my bag without any problems.
But that doesn't mean it won't open eventually, I suppose.
The 'best by' date is printed on the bottom of the bottle.
Mine expired, and I didn't even get to finish 10 capsules - I just plain forgot about them.
Losing 10 capsules isn't the end of the world, though - I've since bought a new bottle from a different brand (you can see it in the photo above), and I'll write a review for that one soon.
The capsules are a gold color, and they're transparent.
They don't have any strong smell, but they do have a slight oil-based scent - I guess that's because oil is an ingredient.
The capsules are tiny, and they might catch the attention of kids.
Given that taking too much vitamin D can be toxic, it's best to keep them out of reach.
I've compared these capsules to others from a different brand, and I think the size is spot on.
You don't feel them when you take them, and there's no taste to speak of.
By the way, there's also a vitamin D3 tablet form without oil, which doesn't absorb as well and needs to be taken with fatty food.
These capsules also require fatty food, but they have the added benefit of already containing oil (olive extra virgin).
I decided to break open one of the capsules (the gelatin is pretty dense), and I was relieved to find that the vitamin was well-protected.
All of mine were intact, and I was curious to see how the oily texture would be – it's pretty oily, like Aevita.
☀️ TAKING IT ☀️
Direct translation from the instructions:
I take one capsule every two days with a fatty meal or as directed by a practicing doctor.
To put it simply, one capsule a day. This depends on the dosage! Smaller/larger dosages - check the instructions on the bottle, it might be different.
Of course, if your doctor tells you to take it every day, then you'll need to take it every day, not just as written.
So, doctor's recommendations are also taken into account.
I was following online recovery methods after the virus, so I took it every day.
One capsule a day during breakfast.
I had no issues during intake, but still, if you've bought vitamins just because you read something online like I did, then please follow the instructions 🙂
You can take a maximum of 50,000 IU per week, anything above that is toxic.
☀️ THE MISTAKE I MADE. IMPORTANT ☀️
I only learned last year that calcium isn't as important during vitamin D3 intake as vitamin K2 is!
K2 helps calcium get absorbed better, reduces side effects from taking high doses of D3, and 5,000 IU is still a therapeutic dose.
It activates proteins that help calcium get into bones and protects kidneys from excessive accumulation (in kidneys, blood vessels).
I think it's clear how important it is!
However, I've always taken it without K2.
And I have a tendency to form kidney stones, which I had in 2019.
This time, I bought vitamins with D3 + K2 and will take them only like that from now on, and I'll add calcium only when I'm not getting enough from my diet, as it's not recommended to take it permanently.
☀️ RESULT ☀️
I used 240 tablets, which lasted me for several courses, and I could take them for a month or two before taking a break every quarter.
Honestly, I struggle with taking something for prevention, I'm not disciplined enough, but I can stick to a schedule if I'm taking it for treatment.
This amount was enough for me to see some results:
Bones and teeth:
I didn't notice any improvement in my condition or the effects of vitamin D3.
Of course, you need a comprehensive approach, and relying solely on vitamins isn't the best idea.
I didn't do anything, not even exercises or take collagen regularly.
Now, I'm taking a more comprehensive approach, and I hope vitamin D3 will make a difference.
Stress resilience:
I went through a tough time, and it really took a toll on me, but I'm naturally pretty resilient.
It's hard to say how much the vitamins affected me, but I did notice that I didn't cry as much while taking vitamin D3.
I remember thinking, 'Why am I not crying?' before.
In the past, I would cry for hours, but now I can just let a few tears fall and then move on.
I even caught myself thinking, 'Why am I not crying?' and then just laughing it off.
Blood clotting:
Vitamin D3 has a clear impact on my blood and skin.
I used to have issues with my blood being too thick, and I'd have to retake the tests, or it would be too thin and wouldn't clot at all.
Now, that's not a problem.
I've also noticed that I don't burn as easily.
Hair:
I'm dead certain that this vitamin has done the trick.
My hair was looking pretty rough before - it was dull, sparse, and falling out left and right.
During my illness, I was losing clumps of hair, but I started taking these vitamins, along with some omega-3s and B vitamins, and after a few courses, my hair started looking a lot better.
Fast forward to a year ago, and my hair was looking amazing - I hadn't colored or extensions in ages.
This vitamin doesn't make your hair grow thicker or anything, but it does make it healthier, regulates growth, and even helps repair damaged areas.
That's not just some fancy research, that's my own experience.
Immunity:
One thing I noticed is that I've been getting sick way less often and for shorter periods, BUT, the effect seems to be temporary, only while I'm taking the vitamins.
I'm from the Ural region, and we've got a chronic iodine and vitamin D3 deficiency here, so people often get sick, and I'm no exception.
As soon as I stop taking vitamins, I catch some cold or flu...
☀️ THE VERDICT ☀️
I didn't experience any side effects, everything's been fine.
Now I'm going to take vitamin D3 + K2 in smaller doses to avoid any side effects in the long run.
Since K2 isn't in the NOW supplement, I recommend buying it separately and taking it together.
Overall, I'd recommend D3, and I'd recommend the NOW version, but only if you're not already healthy.
If that's the case, you can take a 400 IU dose for support, no need to go for the 5000 IU.
It's also a good idea to do a test and consult with a doctor!
Vitamin overdose is toxic, and self-medication is not the way to go.
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