It is essential to maintain healthy vitamin D levels throughout all stages of life, from fetal development to old age. Vitamin D helps protect a number of important functions in the body. The current recommended daily vitamin D intake of 400 IUs is based on the minimum allowance to protect against bone disease. However, an upward revision of the FDA's guideline is now under consideration in light of new research, especially pertaining to immune function. Although direct sunlight exposure is a good source of vitamin D, many people do not get enough sun due to season change, latitude, or lifestyle. Therefore, vitamin D supplementation can be of great benefit in these cases.

Vitamin D deficiency is quite common, particularly among the elderly.* For example, a study conducted at a hospital in Glasgow, Scotland, found an almost universal vitamin D deficiency among a group of 548 elderly patients. Individuals deficient in vitamin D may need 5,000-10,000 IU of vitamin D daily to replenish tissue stores.* With these individuals specifically in mind, Thorne's D-5000 supplies 5,000 IU of pure vitamin D3 in each vegetarian capsule.

Some vitamins, because of their potency, are usually given in very small amounts. Examples of such "micro-dose" vitamins include vitamin D, vitamin K, and vitamin B12. Most dietary supplement manufacturers purchase "micro-dose" vitamins from raw material suppliers as premixed dilutions, meaning the vitamins (in powder form) are mixed with other powdered substances that in turn make it easier for the manufacturer to handle and mix a larger quantity of raw material. Unfortunately, the powdered substances used in these premixed dilutions frequently contain potentially detrimental ingredients such as lactose and also the preservatives BHT, BHA, sodium benzoate, and sorbic acid.

At Thorne Research, our promise is to give you the purest supplements humanly possible. Therefore, we do not purchase premixed dilutions of any "micro-dose" vitamins. Instead, we purchase pure, undiluted vitamins and create our own dilutions when it is necessary to do so, using pure, hypoallergenic powders, such as magnesium citrate or plant cellulose. The resultant premixture is then added to the dietary supplement being made, ensuring the proper amount of each pure nutrient is contained in each capsule.

Ingredients:

One Capsule Contains: Vitamin D3 5,000 IU

Other Ingredients: Microcrystaline Cellulose, Hypromellose (derived from cellulose) capsule, Vitamine E (mixed tocopherols). May contain one or more of the following hypoallergenic ingredients to fill space - Leucine, Silicon Dioxide.

Suggested Use: One capsule once to three times daily, or as otherwise directed by a health-care practitioner.

Warnings

ALLERGY WARNING: This product is contraindicated in an individual with a history of hypersensitivity to any of its ingredients.

EXCIPIENT FREE: This product does not contain wheat, gluten, corn, yeast, soy, egg, dairy products, or artificial colors, sweeteners, or flavors. This product also does not contain lactose, palmitic acid, or magnesium, calcium, or vegetable stearates.

PREGNANCY WARNING: If pregnant or nursing, consult your health-care practitioner before using this product.

INTERACTIONS/CONTRAINDICATIONS: There are no known adverse interactions or contraindications at publication date.