Vitamin D3 - Not D2 - Helps Reduce Mortality Rate

PRLog (Press Release) - Jul. 20, 2011 - Over the past several years, health-conscious individuals have observed as scientists from around the world have released study after study touting the many health benefits of vitamin D, and warned of the dire consequences associated with vitamin D deficiency. Many have heard or read the accounts of medical professionals and nutritionists who proclaim the superiority of natural vitamin D3 to synthetic D2, as well as the counter-arguments from those who believe that any difference between the two in terms of the health benefits associated with supplementation is negligible.

A recent scientific review by Serbian scientists may finally bring an end to the debate over whether or not any meaningful difference exists between the respective impact of the two forms of vitamin D on a person's health.

The review, which looked at the aggregate of 50 different clinical trials involving a combined 94,000 participants, concluded that Vitamin D3 helps to significantly reduce mortality rate among elderly women, and that Vitamin D2 and the active metabolites alfacalcidol and calcitriol had no such effect.

The study, which was disproportionately centered around elderly women, found that among the group that consumed daily vitamin D3 supplements over a period of several years, there was an overall 6% reduction in the mortality rate compared to the group that did not ingest vitamin D supplements during the same period. The study also found that the reduction in mortality rate could only be observed among those women who took vitamin D3 specifically. Other forms of vitamin D including D2, alfacalcidol and calcitriol (active metabolites) had no impact on the mortality rate of the individuals being studied.

The lead scientist overseeing the review was Goran Bjelakovic, MD, of the University of Nis in Serbia.

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is the natural form of vitamin D. People obtain vitamin D3 through direct exposure to sunlight. D3 is more easily broken down for use by the body (bioavailable) than are other forms of the nutrient, including those mentioned in this article.

Read More: http://www.pamelaegan.com/articles/vitamin-d3-helps-preve...

Vitamin D3 Supplements: http://www.eganmedical.com/Vitamin-D3-5-000-IU-Supplement...

Additional Vitamin D3 Resources: http://www.vitamind3.org/

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Egan Wellness and Anti-Aging Clinic is Covington, LA's finest primary care, anti-aging and women's wellness clinic. Pam Egan, NP, CDE, is a graduate of Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center with over 32 years clinical experience in healthcare.