Did you know at skinBe, you can schedule a vitamin D booster shot by itself or add it on to any treatment you are already coming in for?
Vitamin D deficiency can lead to an array of problems but most notably, rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults. Latest research also links vitamin D deficiency to the following: mood swings, depression, lack of energy, sleep issues, chronic skin conditions, and other diseases. Low levels of vitamin D can also contribute to an overall state of inflammation within your body.
Unfortunately, about 42% of Americans are deficient in vitamin D, which doesn’t even account for those that are insufficient.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and comes in two different forms.
- Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) which is normally found in plants.
- Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) which can be synthesized from sunlight and taken as an oral supplement or given as an injection.
Vitamin D plays a crucial role in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism. It is a critical nutrient and aids in absorbing calcium and phosphate from the intestines, which is needed for keeping bones and muscles healthy. Weak bones cause osteoporosis and loss of bone density can lead to fractures. Insufficient calcium and vitamin D will lead parathyroids to borrow calcium from the bones.
Other Vitamin D benefits:
- facilitates normal immune functions
- helps increase mood and energy
- helps regulate insulin levels
- plays a role in the formation of new hair follicles which help hair maintain thickness and prevent premature hair loss.
Food sources rich in Vitamin D include oily fish, such as salmon, sardines and herring, red meat, beef liver, egg yolks, beans, green leafy vegetables and fortified foods like fat spreads and cereal.
The daily recommendation for adults is to take an average of 800-2,000 IU daily via an oral supplement. Adding a vitamin D oral supplement can bring up your levels if they are low but will take about 3-4 months. If administered the intramuscular route (IM), it brings your vitamin D levels up faster and helps regulate it long term. We offer this service at skinBe in our dripBar.
Why an intramuscular injection route? Because of its absorption rate. When taken orally, you only absorb around 20-30%, and when taken via the intramuscular route the absorption rate is 80-100%.
An intramuscular injection is a shot administered directly into the muscle and given in the upper arm or hip/buttocks. Intramuscular injections are most efficient, especially for aging adults, because absorption through the gastrointestinal tract is deficient when taking vitamin supplements orally.
Due to increased blood flow in muscles where injections are administered is what allows for faster absorption. Rapid onset is 5-10 minutes and IM absorption occurs by diffuse from interstitial fluid and capillary membranes into plasma.
Symptoms of low vitamin D:
- Weakened immunity
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Bone and joint pain
- Low mood
- Hair loss
If you could benefit from a vitamin D booster, don’t forget to mention it when you come in to see us!