Bearded Dragon vitamin D synthesis

[Monstermug]

I saw this scientific research paper regarding evidence of vitamin D synthesis which I thought I share. Might be a bit of a handful for some to read or understand so I have summaries all the important points

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-29232-w

In it it states that Vitamin D and D3 can be synthesised using UVB exposure and that Vitamin D and D3 can also be digested.

Also suggest that Insects from breeding farms have little concentrations of Vitamin D relative to those that have been exposed to UVB.

The information in this article helps explains why there are stories of people having little to no problems with keeping some reptiles without UVB exposure providing they provide the right quantities of Vitamins in their diet? This is more susceptible to under dosing.

This article goes on to explain that Heat is a critical element in the synthesis of D3 which is then used to regulate calcium production which we all know is the main cause of MBD in dragons.

https://www.arcadiareptile.com/d3-cycle/

 

[Sadie]

I saw this scientific research paper regarding evidence of vitamin D synthesis which I thought I share. Might be a bit of a handful for some to read or understand so I have summaries all the important points

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-29232-w

In it it states that Vitamin D and D3 can be synthesised using UVB exposure and that Vitamin D and D3 can also be digested.

Also suggest that Insects from breeding farms have little concentrations of Vitamin D relative to those that have been exposed to UVB.

The information in this article helps explains why there are stories of people having little to no problems with keeping some reptiles without UVB exposure providing they provide the right quantities of Vitamins in their diet? This is more susceptible to under dosing.

This article goes on to explain that Heat is a critical element in the synthesis of D3 which is then used to regulate calcium production which we all know is the main cause of MBD in dragons.

https://www.arcadiareptile.com/d3-cycle/

Correct that is why you must have a good UVB most coils I dont want to say all coils but I am against coils anyway and have seen too many issues w/ them are NOT good UVB's - the best ones are the tube and the best brand are the Arcadia and Reptisun of which alot of the test have been done on those -- in my post I explain to people as to why they need the tube UVB when asking them to get rid of the coil they are using --- the dragon needs the temps to start digestion -- heat emitters do not do that they need a bright white basking bulb --- you want to mimic the sun as much as possible ---- out doors for a dragon is wonderful they can soak up the natural UVB rays --

 

[Monstermug]

Correct that is why you must have a good UVB most coils I dont want to say all coils but I am against coils anyway and have seen too many issues w/ them are NOT good UVB's - the best ones are the tube and the best brand are the Arcadia and Reptisun of which alot of the test have been done on those -- in my post I explain to people as to why they need the tube UVB when asking them to get rid of the coil they are using --- the dragon needs the temps to start digestion -- heat emitters do not do that they need a bright white basking bulb --- you want to mimic the sun as much as possible ---- out doors for a dragon is wonderful they can soak up the natural UVB rays --

Then I saw this article which debates whether there is any difference between vitamin D3 availability from tube as opposed to oral supplement. Although they talk about tortoise, the concept is relevant.

https://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/d3.html

So in conclusion that is why we use T5's, heat lamps, and dust food. Always nice to know why you have to do things I think.

 

[Sadie]

Then I saw this article which debates whether there is any difference between vitamin D3 availability from tube as opposed to oral supplement. Although they talk about tortoise, the concept is relevant.

https://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/d3.html

So in conclusion that is why we use T5's, heat lamps, and dust food. Always nice to know why you have to do things I think.

Yes and we dont dust as often w/ D3 after a year and w/ the use of the T 5 -- T 8's are not as strong and still require the use of the D3 ---