Calcitriol Rocaltrol by Ray Sahelian, M.D. Calcitiriol benefit

Calcitriol, or 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, is the active form of vitamin D found in the body used to treat and prevent low levels of calcium in the blood of patients whose kidneys or parathyroid glands are not working normally. Low blood levels of calcium cause bone thinning. Calcitriol works by helping the body to use more of the calcium found in foods or supplements. Calcitriol increases the absorption of calcium from the gastrointestinal tract.

Conversion of cholecalciferol to calcitriol
Supplements of vitamin D are available in 3 common forms: ergocalciferol ( vitamin D2 ), cholecalciferol ( vitamin D3 ), and calcitriol. Vitamin D3 has proven to be a potent form of vitamin D in all primate species, including humans. When cholecalciferol is ingested as a supplement, it is metabolized by the liver and kidney to the biologically active form calcitriol. Hence, people have the option to either ingest a calcitriol supplement or a cholecalciferol supplement. Either option is fine.

Vitamin D3, 400 IU - Nature's Way
Dietary Supplement
Helps Maintain Normal Bone and Tooth Formation

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) helps the body to regulate the transport of calcium from the digestive system through the bloodstream to bone. It also assists in the retention of calcium and phosphorus. Nature's Way Vitamin D is 100% natural cholecalciferol.  The dry form is specially formulated for easy absorption.  It contains no artificial ingredients or preservatives.

Vitamin D Supplement Facts:
Amount Per 1 capsule:
Vitamin D  - 400 IU  - 100%DV  
   (as cholecalciferol)

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Medical uses of Calcitriol
Calcitriol is commonly used as a medication in the treatment of hypocalcemia and osteoporosis. Calcitriol is marketed under various trade names including Rocaltrol (Roche) and Calcijex (Abbott).

Calcitriol lowers risk of falls in elderly women
In elderly women with reduced kidney function, treatment with calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D, appears to offer protection against falls. Dr. J Christopher Gallagher of Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska randomly allocated 415 women aged 65 to 77 years to calcitriol (0.25 micrograms twice daily), estrogen and progestin therapy with or without calcitriol or to placebo. Follow-up at 3 years showed that calcitriol treatment decreased the number of falls and of those who fell. In the placebo group, reduced kidney function was a predictor of the number of falls per person but not of those who fell. In subjects with reduced kidney function, calcitriol therapy reduced the rate of falls by 53 percent. In combination with estrogen and progestin, the corresponding proportion was 61 percent. With estrogen and progestin alone, it was 24 percent. Overall, in subjects with normal kidney function, the reduction in falls was 30 percent. Since calcitriol is made in the kidneys, it could be a helfpul supplement in preventing falls in the elderly. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, January 2007.