Disease Prevention - Immunity
VitD FELINE
VitD CANINE
Vitamin D Sufficiency Important for Cellular Health
Vitamin D is not a simple vitamin but
the precursor to the active hormone
1,25VitD. Well understood for its role
in calcium homeostasis, vitamin D is
recognized for its role in gene
regulation and the maintenance of
cellular health. Many tissues have
vitamin D receptors and will locally
convert 25VitD to 1,25VitD. Low
stores of vitamin D are associated
with a wide range of diseases such as
cancer, heart disease, infection, and
kidney disease.
Initial Understanding
Vit D3
Comprehensive
Understanding
Kidneys
Fortified Food
(not sunlight)
Liver
25VitD
Immune Cells
Spleen
Liver
Intestines
Etc.
Serum
1,25VitD
1,25VitD
Intracellular
Serum
Affects Genes
Unlike humans, dogs and cats do not
Blood Pressure Control
produce vitamin D from sunlight; their
Bone Calcium Absorption
Cancer Protection
Blood Sugar Control
sole source of vitamin D comes from
Parathyroid
Tissue & Organ Health
their diet.(1) Recent studies have shown
that vitamin D varies significantly by
commercial pet food manufacturer. Further, intestinal absorption varies significantly from dog to dog, and by intact status.(2)
Expanding models of vitamin D have generated new terminology of “Deficiency”, “Insufficiency”, and “Sufficiency” to
define the protective effect that increasing stores of vitamin D have against disease.
Testing for 25(OH)D, the primary store of vitamin D, is your best means to objectively measure this important analyte. When
found inadequate, dietary supplementation is warranted.
VitD Status
150
25(OH)D (ng/mL)
Sufficiency
100
Insufficiency
50
Deficiency
0
12
Pet Food Manufacturers