Customer Reviews

Carlson Vitamin D3 2000 IU, 360 Softgels

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4 star:		(4)
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1 star:		(2)

 

 

I am a layman. I have provided Vitamin D3 at this dosage to a number of individuals with auto-immune diseases such as type II diabetes, high blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis and congestive obstructive pulmonary disease. In almost every case, these individuals have experienced a reduction of symptoms. There is a very extensive literature supporting the theory that Vitamin D reduces auto-immune symptoms. Most human cells have a Vitamin D (VDR) receptor and these cells do not mature unless Vitamin D is available. This in itself may explain why Vitamin D3 provides such a wide range of health benefits.

It is also important to assure that you get minimums of calcium (1000 mg), magnesium (500mg) and zinc (15mg) from diet or supplements as Vitamin D "uploads" these minerals from the diet. Many manufacturers provide an inexpensive three (large!) pill daily cal-mag-zinc supplement based on these minimums. You can find these formulations at Walmart and large chain drugstores. They will also carry liquid formulas providing calcium and magnesium.

Vitamin D regulates gene expression, appears to be essential for proper immune system function, fights infection including bacterial infections such as bacterial colds, tuberculosis and bacterial pneumonia, reduces the incidence of cancer, and strengthens bone and muscle. Carlson informs me that the Vitamin D3 this product is made from lanolin (sheep wool fat) irradiated with Ultraviolet B light. As a vegetarian, I appreciate the fact that life is not taken to produce this product.

Spring, fall and summer noontime sunshine exposure provides adequate Vitamin D. Stay out a short time if your skin is light, but stay out longer if your skin is dark. Very light-skinned individuals can make adequate Vitamin D from arm and face noontime exposure in 15 minutes or less. Very dark-skinned individuals may require up to 2 hours to achieve the same level. Skin color is adaptive to sunlight levels, so that people from equatorial regions are darker-skinned and people from Iceland, who are starved for sun and Vitamin D, are very light-skinned. Get it? That's all there is to skin color. It's interesting that primitive cultures living far from the equator prize the few foods that naturally concentrate Vitamin D3, like fish liver oil and sea mammal blubber. Cod liver oil is about the only food supplement that provides a lot of Vitamin D. Milk has a little added and you can get 2000 a day by drinking 20 8-ounce glasses!

It is important that individuals who are not frequently exposed to the sun, who regularly wear sunblock or who are dark-skinned take Vitamin D3 supplements. Also, individuals who are elderly or obese generally require more Vitamin D3. Many researchers feel these groups should take 5,000 i.u. daily. As you get older you have more difficulty absorbing D and fat cells tend to sequester (trap) Vitamin D. If you are too poor to get tested for Vitamin D deficiency but are not frequently exposed to direct sunlight on your skin, I would encourage you to take 2000 i.u. daily of Vitamin D3. The FDA says a daily dose of 2,000 i.u. is completely safe. Other competent researchers feel a dose of 10,000 i.u. is generally safe, and very beneficial in some conditions such as multiple sclerosis. If your physician has not read recent literature about Vitamin D, encourage a thorough review of widely-available research findings on D. One source is [...], Dr. John Cannell's site. You can do your own research. There are many research articles and abstracts available on the Net. Search for "Vitamin D" deficiency to get started.

This is a great value!

One year of vitamin D for $15.00!

Vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common micronutrient deficiencies. And yet, it does not receive the glamour or media coverage as many of the other supplements. Many of these more popular products have much less science behind their alleged benefits than does vitamin D.

Besides being important for optimum bone health and calcium metabolism, vitamin D is being studied for a number of potential beneficial effects on disorders as varied as cancer, atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes and others. The research is still too preliminary to know how (and if) vitamin D will ever be considered useful for disease prevention (other than osteoporosis). However, the emerging science is exciting all the same.

The conventional wisdom of the long recommended dose of 400 IU day as being adequate is beginning to be disproved. In addition, sun exposure is also often not enough for most individual's requirements. This is true not only in the cold north during the winter but even in sunnier climates.

Many people enjoy nonfat milk and yogurt, which are excellent sources of calcium (about 300mg/cup). However, even though dairy products are one of the best sources of vitamin D in our diet, there is only perhaps 100 IU vitamin D per 8 oz glass.

Many calcium/bone/vitamin D experts, including myself*, recommend 800 to 1200 IU day as the minimum daily dose of vitamin D for most people. Some even recommend more.

Myself, I take 2000 IU day because I was deficient a few years ago. This dose has maintained my blood levels within the optimum range. I do not recommend 2000 IU day for all of my patients unless they too have been shown to be deficient and have had difficulty maintiaining their vitamin D levels with lower daily doses.

Like any vitamin, it is possible to overdose and get too much of a good thing. If you have any question of what your vitamin D status is, or how much vitamin D you should be taking, you should discuss with your doctor. Perhaps laboratory blood testing might be indicated.

The blood test that is used to assess vitamin D status is 25-OH (or 25-Hydroxy)vitamin D. Optimum levels are 25-OH vitamin D levels of between 30 and 80 mg/dl.

*I am a physician who is board certified in: Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism; Clinical Lipidology; General Internal Medicine; and Nutrition. The above comments are my general insights into vitamin D deficiency as well as a review of this product. They are not intended to diagnose or be specific medical recommendations for the care of any given individual. If you have questions, please consult with your physician.

The source of Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) in this product is lanolin, which is sheep wool fat. Lanolin is irradiated with ultraviolet B (UVB) rays to create Vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is the best source of supplemental Vitamin D. Vitamin D2 which is plant-source, does not metabolize predictably in the human body. This animal-source Vitamin D does not take life. I have found Carlson to be an excellent manufacturer. I believe 2000 iu a day is an appropriate minimal dose for an individual who does not get much direct noontime sun. 2000 iu is the highest safe dose according to the FDA, but current research suggests that 4,000 iu daily of Vitamin D3 is safe and may be essential for dark-skinned individuals or individuals who get no midday sun. There are ample references on the Internet to this issue of dosage.

Exactly what the doctor ordered and much cheaper than we can obtain it locally. Great product, fast shipping.

My doctor recommended I take 2,000 IU of Vitamin D. I dreaded adding another supplement to swallow and was worried about stomach upset from taking Vitamin D. No problems, this gel cap is so small, definite plus factor. One gelcap a day for 2,000 IU. Very pleased customer!

Carlson Vitamin D is a good product at a very reasonable price on Amazon. My only gripe is the size of the capsule is larger than it has to be. You can find other brands of Vitamin D 2000iu capsules 1/4 the size of Carlson. I even once received the small size in the Carlson product. Thus, I am surprised to receive the larger size Carlson capsules once again with my latest order. Not a big deal, but a nuisance to those who have to take a daily regimen of multiple pills.

I have been taking extra Vit D for a number of years, which was contained in other supplements and prescription Fosamax. Last year I switched to Carlson 2000 IU, which I take most days, sometimes 2 per day, with approval of my doctor. I continued to get additional minor amount in other supplements. Two years ago my level was 42. I just had test and it is now 73, my doctor was really pleased. The main difference was switching to separate Carlson soft gel.

This product provides a mega-dose in an easily consumed package. Vitamin D is essential in allowing the body to fully metabolize other mineral and vitamin supplements, and the soft-gel package is so much easier to swallow than a dry tablet. This is an excellent product and I wish all supplements were packaged this way.

Best price I have found. Carlson Vitamin D is what my doctor recommends. Nice to find it a good price.

The product is well priced and useful. However, the actual product received has written VITAMIN D3 2000 IU.
However the image has VITAMIN D 2000 IU.
Amazon should change the image in the product description.

11/25
Moreover, the product works well and does what it should do. My Vitamin D level was 6 before starting this one and after 3 months, came to normal. Very nice for those who stay more of indoors in Northern States where winter rules the land with very little sunshine.

Unfortunately, Amazon is so lousy, they did not bother to change the correct image. The image still reads Vitamin D 2000 IU. I remove that one star because of this.