Monday, December 15, 2008
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a collection of fat-soluble prohormones, the two major forms of which are vitamin D2 (or ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (or cholecalciferol). The phrase vitamin D also refers to metabolites and other analogues of these substances. Vitamin D3 is produced in skin exposed to sunlight, specifically ultraviolet B radiation.
Vitamin D plays an important role in the maintenance of organ systems.
* Vitamin D regulates the calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood by promoting their absorption from food in the intestines, and by promoting re-absorption of calcium in the kidneys, which enables usual mineralization of bone and prevents hypocalcemic tetany. It is also wanted for bone growth and bone remodeling by osteoblasts and osteoclasts.
* In the absence of vitamin K or with drugs (particularly blood thinners) that interfere with Vitamin K metabolism, Vitamin D can endorse soft tissue calcification.
* It inhibits parathyroid hormone secretion from the parathyroid gland.
* Vitamin D affects the resistant system by promoting phagocytosis, anti-tumor activity, and immunomodulatory functions.
Vitamin D plays an important role in the maintenance of organ systems.
* Vitamin D regulates the calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood by promoting their absorption from food in the intestines, and by promoting re-absorption of calcium in the kidneys, which enables usual mineralization of bone and prevents hypocalcemic tetany. It is also wanted for bone growth and bone remodeling by osteoblasts and osteoclasts.
* In the absence of vitamin K or with drugs (particularly blood thinners) that interfere with Vitamin K metabolism, Vitamin D can endorse soft tissue calcification.
* It inhibits parathyroid hormone secretion from the parathyroid gland.
* Vitamin D affects the resistant system by promoting phagocytosis, anti-tumor activity, and immunomodulatory functions.
