About Vitamin D3 from Lichen

Vitamin D3, also known as the "Sunshine Vitamin," has many documented benefits. Research has shown that it is good for bone and brain health, as well as for the immune system, cardiovascular function, and nervous system.

The fascinating realm of lichens

Lichens are an appealing type of organism that results from a partnership between a fungus and an alga. They can survive in many different environments, from the Arctic to deserts. Lichens produce vitamin D3 when exposed to sunlight, making it a pure and effective source of this essential nutrient. This form of vitamin D3 is similar to the type produced by human skin when exposed to sunlight, so it is an important part of nutrition science.

Studies suggest lichen-derived Vitamin D3 is more effective in raising and maintaining healthy serum Vitamin D levels, unlike many supplements that are animal-based or contain the less effective Vitamin D2.

Studies

Study 1 - Long-term vitamin D3 supplementation is more effective than vitamin D2 in maintaining serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status over the winter months

Study details

• 95 participants between the ages of 18 and 50
• 3 random groups: one receiving a daily dose of 25 μg (1000 IU) of vitamin D3 (n 32), another group receiving 25 μg (1000 IU) of vitamin D2 daily (n 31), and a third group receiving a placebo (n 32). 
• 25 weeks, commencing after the summer season.

Measurements

• Participants were to return to the clinic at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 24 to provide non-fasting blood samples at a standard time in the day between 08.00 and 11.00 hours.
• Measurements of height and weight were taken once again after the study.

Results

At the end of the 25 weeks, participants who were assigned to the D2 and placebo groups experienced a notable decrease in their serum 25(OH)D3 levels during the winter months when compared to those who received vitamin D3 supplementation. Notably, vitamin D2 supplementation led to an increase in serum 25(OH)D2 levels but also resulted in a 9 nmol/l greater decline (with a 95% confidence interval of 1 to 17) in the 25(OH)D3 metabolite compared to the placebo group (P < 0.036).

Figure 1: Mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3,) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 (25(OH)D2,) concentrations over time in healthy adult participants treated with (a) 25 μg/d vitamin D3, (b) 25 μg/d vitamin D2 or (c) placebo over a 6-month intervention (n 61). Values are means, with 95 % CI represented by vertical bars.

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Study 2 - Does vitamin D supplementation of healthy Danish Caucasian girls affect bone turnover and bone mineralization?

Study details

• 225 girls were randomized to each of the three groups: (A) placebo, (B) 5 μg vitamin D3, and (C) 10 μg vitamin D3, daily for 1 year.
• Height, weight, bone mineral content (BMC), and bone mineral density (BMD), as well as stage of pubertal status, were assessed at baseline and after 12 months of intervention. 
• Fasting blood and second void urine samples were taken between 08.00 and 10.00 am at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of intervention.

Results

Vitamin D supplementation did not yield any observable impact on biomarkers related to bone turnover or on the increase in bone mineral content (BMC) or bone mineral density (BMD) in the entire study population. Nevertheless, it was found that vitamin D supplementation led to a significant increase in both whole-body BMD (p = 0.007) and BMC (p = 0.048) exclusively in individuals with the FF VDR genotype, with no such effect observed in those with the Ff or ff VDR genotypes.

Conclusion

Supplementing with vitamin D at doses of 5 or 10 μg/day for 12 months led to an increase in S-25OHD concentration. However, there was no significant effect on bone health indicators for the entire group of girls. Notably, among a subgroup of girls with the FF VDR genotype, there was an observed impact on bone mineral density (BMD), underscoring the influence of genotype on these outcomes.

Table 1: Changes in characteristics after 12 months of vitamin D supplementation, according to intervention groups.

Figure 1: The impact of Fok I vitamin D receptor genotype on response of whole-body bone mineral density to vitamin D supplementation over 12 months in adolescents Danish girls. Vertical bars represent means with their standard deviations. NS, no significant differences among treatments groups. Bars with different superscript letters were significantly different; p < 0.05.

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Study 3 - Formulation of Lichen Based Pill a Natural Source of Vitamin D3 with a High Absorption Rate by Ambrosiya Neo-Medicine Pvt. Ltd

Study details

• 10 patients who have a deficiency of Vitamin D were first identified. 
• Out of ten five patients (P1-P5) were given  Normal  Vitamin  D (Marketed product) and the remaining five patients (P6-P10) were given Lichen-Based  Vitamin D3.  

Results

After 48 hours  the  absorption  of  lichen-based  Vitamin  D3  in patients (P6-P10) was highly observed.

Conclusion

Lichen-based vitamin D3 offers a potent and absorbable form of the vitamin. It's cost-effective, toxin-free, and ideal for those with dietary limitations. Studies have shown higher absorption rates compared to regular Vitamin D3. With the ability to produce a consistent supply, it ensures optimal bone health, immune system function, and mental well-being while being environmentally conscious and vegan-friendly.

Figure 1: Percentage of vitamin D3 level in blood after 48 hours.

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Study 4 - Effect of Vitamin D Replacement on MusculoskeletalParameters in School Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Study details

• 179 girls, ages 10–17 yr,
• 2 treatment groups: Receive weekly oral vitamin D doses of 1,400 IU (equivalent to 200 IU/d) or 14,000 IU (equivalent to 2,000 IU/d)
• A double-blind, placebo-controlled, 1-yr protocol. 

Measurement

• Baseline and 1-year measurements included assessments of areal bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) at multiple locations, including the lumbar spine, hip, forearm, total body, and body composition. 
• Additionally, serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and vitamin D metabolites were monitored throughout the study.

Results

• In the overall group of girls, both treatment groups showed a significant increase in lean mass (P ≤ 0.05), while the high-dose group exhibited growth in bone area and total hip bone mineral content (BMC) (P < 0.02). 
• Among premenarcheal girls, both treatment groups saw a significant rise in lean mass, with trends indicating improved bone mineral density (BMD) and/or BMC at various skeletal sites. These trends reached significance at the lumbar spine BMD for the low-dose group and the trochanter BMC for both groups. 
• However, there were no significant changes in lean mass, BMD, or BMC in postmenarcheal girls.

Conclusions

The replacement of Vitamin D had a beneficial effect on musculoskeletal parameters in girls, particularly during the premenarcheal period.

Table 1: Serum levels of vitamin D metabolites and percent change in BMC, lean mass, bone area, grip strength, height, and weight at 1 yr by treatment group, in the overall group of girls and in premenarcheal girls

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