1000 IU VITAMIN D3 FROM NOW FOODS.

NOW® Vitamin D-1000 softgels supply recommended levels of this key vitamin in a highly-absorbable liquid softgel form. Vitamin D is normally obtained from the diet or produced by the skin from the ultraviolet energy of the sun. However, it is not abundant in food. As more people avoid sun exposure, Vitamin D supplementation becomes even more necessary to ensure that your body receives an adequate supply. [SOFTGELS]
 

VITAMIN D  "THE SUNSHINE VITAMIN"...

..because we can usually get it from the sun's ultraviolet rays; it supports bone development and is needed for calcium and vitamin C absorption, and it supports the nervous system. Vitamin D plays a dual role as both a vitamin and a hormone that stimulates the body to absorb calcium. Natural Factors Vitamin D3 is derived from sheep wool lanolin.

Bone Health
Most people do not think about bone health until they are in their later years.  This is a mistake because significant increases in bone density can only be made in childhood or early adulthood (up to age 30).  For the remainder of our lives the goal is to maintain our bones.

Osteoporosis is a loss of bone density.  The bony matrix is of normal composition but decreased amounts because more bone is being broken down than is being produced.  Testosterone and estrogen maintain bone density by promoting bone building and slowing bone removal.  This is one reason why bone density decreases as we age

Stay active to increase your bone health.  Immobility and insufficient weight bearing exercise cause bone loss.  Gravity puts a stress on the bone and the body responds by increasing the density of the bone. Exercising in youth actually increases bone density above normal and exercise throughout life protects against bone loss.  Maintain appropriate weight because people that are underweight also are at a greater risk for osteoporosis.  Their bones are not stressed as much as the bones of people who are of normal weight.

A healthy diet, with sufficient protein intake, is one protective factor against bone loss.  Dietary deficiencies of protein cause bone loss because the bone is constantly remodelling itself.  Up to 7% of our bone mass is turned over every week. Choose lean meats, fermented dairy products and legumes to fill your daily protein requirements.  Supplement with protein powder or amino acid complex if you cannot consume enough protein.

There are a multitude of minerals that form the matrix of the bone.  Deficiency in any one of these nutrients can lead to bone loss.  Minerals can be lost in the cooking process so eat your vegetables and fruits raw or lightly steamed.  Drink filtered or spring water.  If you drink reverse osmosis or distilled water replace the missing minerals with a supplement. Vitamin D helps bring calcium into the bone.  It is one of the fat-soluble vitamins that are poorly absorbed through the digestive process as we age.  In areas away from the equator, skin production of vitamin D is limited during certain times of the year.  Eating vitamin D rich foods like fish and egg yolks, and taking vitamin D supplements, will maintain your bone density.

Vitamin D and Cancer
Recent studies have shown that taking at least 1000iu daily of vitamin D can also reduce the risk of cancer dramatically - by up to 60%!  The authors of one study recognized the important role that vitamin D can play in cancer prevention and the need for increasing its intake throughout the entire world.  In this study, one group of women were given 1100iu of vitamin D daily over a four year period, while another group received a placebo.  The group receiving the vitamin D experienced a dramatically lower rate of cancers than the control group.