Vitamin D3: Immunity, bones, depression – A must-have in France?
Vitamin D3: Immunity, bones, depression – A must-have in France?
Vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol, is much more than just a vitamin: it acts as a hormone regulating more than 200 genes in the body. Essential for bone health, it also plays a key role in the immune system and the prevention of mood disorders [1]. In France, a large part of the population is deficient, especially in winter [2].
Why is vitamin D3 so important?
According to health authorities (HAS, ANSM), vitamin D3:
- Promotes calcium absorption and bone mineralization [1]
- Supports innate and adaptive immune defenses [3]
- Plays a role in preventing respiratory infections [4]
- May have a beneficial effect on seasonal depressive symptoms [5]
It is synthesized naturally by the skin under the effect of UVB rays, but exposure to the sun is often insufficient, especially between October and March [2].
Vitamin D deficiency: a public health problem
According to the Esteban study by Public Health France (2015–2016), more than 70% of French people have a vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency in winter [2].
People at risk include:
- the elderly
- pregnant women
- children and adolescents
- people with dark skin or little exposure to the sun
Which supplement should you choose?
The most effective form is vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) , which is better assimilated than D2 [6].
French recommendations (ANSES) suggest:
- 600 to 800 IU/day for adults
- 1000 to 2000 IU/day for people who are deficient or at risk [1]
Vitamin D3 can be taken in capsules, tablets, or ampoules. It is fat-soluble, so it is better absorbed if taken with a meal containing fat [7].
Products available on Pharma+ France
- Vegetable Vitamin D3 1000 IU – 30 and 90 capsule sizes
- Vitamin D3 + K2 – synergistic for bone health
- Available in high stability bottles
Official and scientific references
- VIDAL – Vitamin D: recommendations, indications and dosage, 2023
- Public Health France – Esteban study on nutritional intake in France, 2016
- HAS – Vitamin D supplementation in the elderly, 2011
- BMJ – Vitamin D supplementation to prevent acute respiratory infections, 2017
- JAMA Psychiatry – Association of Vitamin D and Depression, 2013
- EFSA – Scientific Opinion on vitamin D intake, 2016
- Int J Mol Sci – Mechanisms of vitamin D absorption and metabolism, 2020
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