Vitamin D The Sunshine Vitamin

Vitamin D is otherwise known as “sunshine vitamin” as it can be synthesized from sunlight by our body.

Chemistry

The term vitamin D refers to a family of compounds that are derived from cholesterol. There are two major forms of vitamin D: vitamin D2, found in plants and better known as ergocalciferol (or calciferol).

And vitamin D3 is found in animal tissues and is often referred to as cholecalciferol.

Among these vitamin D2 or calciferol and vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol are biologically important. Ergosterol and 7dehydrocholesterol act as provitamin of vitamin D.

When ergosterol of vegetable origin is exposed to ultraviolet light calciferol is formed.

Vitamin D3 is formed by the action of ultraviolet rays of sunlight on 7dehydrocholesterol. Which is present in our skin. If the body is kept in “Purdah” or covered for a prolonged time cholecalciferol is not produced by the body.

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Importance of vitamin D

Vitamin D itself is in an inactive form. Vitamin D is concentrated in the liver, spleen, and kidneys. Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the small intestine.

In the DNA vitamin helps to form active calcium-binding protein.

It also maintains the concentration of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. Vitamins D helps the deposition of calcium phosphate in the bone.

Sources of vitamin D

Fish liver oils

Egg yolk

Milk

Fatty fish, like tuna, mackerel, and salmon

Foods fortified with vitamin D like some dairy products

orange juice

Soy milk

Cereals

Beef liver

Cheese

Eggs, Milk and cheese are also good sources of vitamin D

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Some brands of butter are fortified with vitamin D. Sunlight is the best natural source of vitamin D. The human body is an excellent source of vitamin D.

it produces much of its vitamin D in the summer under the influence of sunlight. The natural oils in the skin are changed by the sun’s rays, and large quantities of vitamin D are produced.

Vitamin Deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency results in poor absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the intestine and excessive loss of them in the faeces.

A deficiency of vitamin D leads to rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults

The name rickets is given to vitamin D deficiency, the symptoms shown are restlessness and irritability rickets are a disease of infancy and childhood.

Calcium and phosphorus are not deposited enough to form strong bones. As a result, the leg bones become bent and deformed.

The bones become soft and easily bent. Under the constant pull of the muscles. The joints lose their shape and are no longer able to function as they should. There may be a marked softening of the bones of the skull in young infants.

Osteomalacia

This occurs among adults. It is often known as adult rickets. Osteomalacia is most common among women. Who lives on a poor diet lacking in calcium and vitamin D. Pregnant women are more prone to it.

Due to the increase in weight gain during pregnancy accompanied by vitamin D deficiency.

It is common among women in “purdah” who are always indoors and when outdoors their body is covered. Repeated pregnancies and prolonged lactation further deplete calcium stores which result in osteomalacia.

Pain, softening and tenderness in the bones and fractures are the common complaints of patients with osteomalacia