Vitamin D Needs Vitamin A (Retinol) to Become “Activated”
I talk a lot about this here: vitamins and minerals don’t work in isolation. In fact, most vitamins and minerals have multiple co-factors (partners) that allow them to work properly in the body.
🔸
Vitamin D is no exception to this. And today I want to highlight the relationship between Vitamin D and real Vitamin A aka Retinol.🌠
🔸
If you’ve read through my previous posts, you know there is the storage form of Vitamin D and there is also the active form of Vitamin D. The active form of Vitamin D is responsible for its “fame” and all of the important immune-boosting, gene-coding, etc. functions.
🔸
Simply put, Retinol is required to activate the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR). This is the transcription factor that works with the active form of Vitamin D to regulate the expression of 900 genes and many more physiological functions.
🔸
This means a lack of Retinol, even with enough Vitamin D, could prevent Vitamin D from performing its very famous and important functions.
🔸
Unfortunately, Vitamin D supplements actually block the absorption and use of Retinol, and Vitamin D cannot become activated.❌
🔸
So how can you make sure you’re getting enough Vitamin A to activate Vitamin D?
🔸
〰️Reconsider your Vitamin D supplements
〰️Get sunlight and Vitamin D-rich foods
〰️Consider a Vitamin D lamp
〰️Swap plant-based fats for animal fats like tallow, butter and ghee
〰️Consume Vitamin A-rich foods, like pastured egg yolks, grass-fed dairy products and liver
___
Not medical advice. As always, do your own research.
_____________________________________________________________
This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before pursuing any changes to your personal healthcare regime.
_____________________________________________________________
References
Conaway, H.H. Henning, P. Lenner, U.H. (2013). Vitamin A Metabolism, Action, and Role in Skeletal Homeostasis. Retrieved from: https://academic.oup.com/edrv/article/34/6/766/2354654.
Mawson, A.R. (2013). Role of Fat-Soluble Vitamins A and D in the Pathogenesis of Influenza: A New Perspective. Retrieved from: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn/2013/246737/.
TTC? Get empowered with Conscious Conception, the ultimate fertility blueprint created to help you optimize your fertility and enter pregnancy empowered.
Stay in touch.
Sign up for my newsletter to get access to exclusive content and resources all about fertility and beyond.
We will never misuse your information.
