Vitamin DVitamin D, or calciferol, is critical in the formation of hormones that maintain normal levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. Not only does this help maintain healthy bones, but calcium and phosphorus are also critical in the proper performance of the nervous system. Because vitamins are technically essential amines that are not produced by the human body, vitamin D is only conditionally a vitamin; it can be created by the skin through exposure to sunlight.
The primary task of vitamin D is regulating the blood’s intake and secretion of calcium and phosphorus from intestines and urine. Interestingly, it is also used in some psoriasis medications; it helps to regulate the uncontrolled cell growth that causes psoriatic lesions.
Vitamin D comes in at least five different forms, all of which can be triggered in large amounts by minimal exposure to UV-B rays from the sun (just enough for the skin to turn pink). It can also be obtained from a variety of foods, especially fish liver oil, whole eggs, and fortified milk products.
When insufficient amounts of vitamin D are produced or taken in, several bone diseases can occur: rickets, osteoporosis, and osteomalacia are the primary ones. This is partly because the body will raid the bones to get calcium and phosphorus to regulate the nervous system when vitamin D is not present. Other diseases related to vitamin D malnutrition include several types of cancer; chronic pain, weakness, and fatigue; certain autoimmune diseases like MS and type 1 diabetes, and a wide variety of mental illnesses. Vitamin D supplements should be taken especially by breastfed infants and people over the age of 50.
Web Resources On Vitamin D
What is vitamin D?
Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol, Calcitriol)
Book Resources On Vitamin DVitamin D, Volume 1-2 by Pike & Glorieux (Ed.)
Vitamin D: New Research by Veronica D. Stolzt (Ed.)
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