From the FDA Drug Label
Vitamin D3 50,000 IU is essential for absorption of calcium and necessary for healthy bones and a healthy immune system. Cholecalciferol is a fat-soluble high potency vitamin that helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus The drug class of Cholecalciferol is a Vitamin D3 supplement or a fat-soluble vitamin.
- Key points:
- Essential for absorption of calcium
- Necessary for healthy bones and immune system
- Fat-soluble high potency vitamin 1
From the Research
Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) is classified as a fat-soluble vitamin and secosteroid hormone precursor. It is the naturally occurring form of vitamin D that is synthesized in the skin when exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight. Cholecalciferol is not biologically active in its initial form and must undergo two hydroxylation processes in the body to become active. First, it is converted to calcidiol (25-hydroxyvitamin D) in the liver, and then to calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D) in the kidneys. This active form functions as a hormone that regulates calcium and phosphorus metabolism, supports bone health, and influences immune function, cell growth, and neuromuscular activity.
Key Characteristics of Cholecalciferol
- Naturally occurring form of vitamin D
- Synthesized in the skin through UVB radiation
- Requires two hydroxylation processes to become active
- Plays a crucial role in calcium and phosphorus metabolism
- Supports bone health and influences various bodily functions
Cholecalciferol is available as a dietary supplement and is often prescribed for vitamin D deficiency, with typical supplementation doses ranging from 600-4000 IU daily for adults, though higher therapeutic doses may be used under medical supervision for severe deficiency, as noted in studies such as 2. Unlike other vitamins that serve primarily as enzyme cofactors, vitamin D3's role as a hormone precursor gives it broader physiological influence throughout the body. The most recent and highest quality study, 3, highlights the importance of vitamin D in maintaining bone health and preventing diseases such as rickets and osteomalacia.
Clinical Use and Recommendations
- Typical supplementation doses: 600-4000 IU daily for adults
- Higher therapeutic doses may be used under medical supervision for severe deficiency
- Importance of vitamin D in maintaining bone health and preventing diseases
- Cholecalciferol is the preferred form of vitamin D supplementation, as indicated by 2 and 4, due to its effectiveness in achieving optimal serum levels of 25(OH)D and its role in reducing the risk of hypercalcemia.
In real-life clinical practice, cholecalciferol is the recommended form of vitamin D supplementation due to its proven efficacy and safety profile, as demonstrated by studies such as 4, which showed a significant reduction in hypercalcemia when using cholecalciferol with a lower target serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D concentration.