Provitamin D is changed to Previtamin D in the skin by being in the sunlight. The vitamin D is then isomerized by the body heat to form vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is then moved by the blood to the liver, where it changes into vitamin D. In the kidneys the development of the active form of vitamin D, is strongly controlled by the parathyroid hormone. Vitamin D is very important for the use of calcium and mobilization of calcium stores. Vitamin D is not only good for strengthening the bones it also aids in helping to prevent cancer, heart disease, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. UV radiation has been used to successfully treat a number of diseases such as rickets, psoriasis, eczema, and jaundice.
Vitamin B12 is Part of coenzymes used in new cell synthesis; helps to maintain nerve cells. Vitamin A Helps maintain good vision (necessary for night vision), resistance to infections, and supports growth and repair of body tissues. Vitamin D is part of the bone-making and bone maintenance team. Regulates absorption of calcium and phosphorus for bone health.
2. Vitamin D- A group of steroids; resistant to heat, oxidation, acids, and bases; stored in liver, skin, brain, spleen, and bones. Promotes absorption of calcium and phosphorous; promotes development of teeth and bones. Sources: produces in skin exposed to ultraviolet light; in milk; egg yolk; fish liver oils; fortified foods. Excess: Diarrhea calcification of soft tissues, renal damage. Deficienceis: Rickets,bone decalcification and weakening.
Boosting your immune system,Vitamin D helps your body regulate the absorption of your calcium and phosphorus.
Vitamin D plays a critical role in many normal bodily functions as well as fighting against a wide number of health barriers. In an article by Jacqueline Kanopa, studies revealed that exposure to ultraviolet rays play a huge part in Vitamin D production, as well as having preventative effects on a disorder known as rickets; which leads to weakened bones due to lack of Vitamin D. This study supports the belief that exposure to UV rays play a critical role in Vitamin D production, and can be beneficial to those prone to certain
Although the vitamin is present in various foods, poor diet along with limited sun exposure may contribute to low vitamin D status among many. Receiving adequate sun exposure may be particularly challenging for those who live in colder regions, spend most of their time indoors, or wear SPF or clothing that covers their skin while outdoors (6).
Calcium can also be supplemented with alfalfa, clover, dandelion, broccoli, and some fish, such as cod, salmon, and sardines (Dittmer and Thompson, 2011;Weichselbaum et al., 2013). Either exposure to sunlight or a supplemented vitamin D is also necessary for these metabolic processes to work successfully. Some fish are also good for supplementing vitamin D in the diet. Once calcium levels are back to homeostasis, the body will replenish the bone stores and there will be no lasting effects in an adult. Some animals are more susceptible to vitamin D and calcium deficiency, eg. growing animals, postpartum mammals, captive reptiles, pet rabbits, and
Vitamin D is essential for the human body to function there are various ways in which it benefits the body. Long ago it has been established that Vitamin D is important for healthy bones, this is because Vitamin D enables the absorption of vital minerals. These minerals
If Vitamin D acts in the ligand-receptor binding manner that activates signal transduction, then an up-regulation of MMP-9 production will occur. Alternatively, if Vitamin D does not act in the ligand-receptor binding manner that activates signal transduction, then an up-regulation of MMP-9 production will not occur. Cells untreated will produce MMP-2, but not MMP-9; cells treated with DMSO will produce MMP-2 and an insignificant amount of MMP-9, due to spontaneous differentiation. PMA treated HL-60 cells will produce a comparable amount of MMP-9 to the Vitamin D treated HL-60 cells and both PMA and Vitamin D treated HL-60 cells will produce MMP-2.
Since I have lacked to meet adequate amounts, I am at risk for certain deficiencies. Deficiency symptoms for vitamin A are fairly common and results in night blindness, eye disease, dry pimply skin, increased infections, and kidney stones. Deficiency symptoms for vitamin D include soft bones, soft teeth, and rickets, although it
Our bodies are in a “can’t live with you, can’t live without you” relationship with the sun. Too much sun can fatally damage our skin, causing skin cancer, hence the “can’t live with you” part. Meanwhile, all organisms need the sun to live. Humans need the sun for oxygen, which is a result of plants going through a process called photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is a process that turns carbon dioxide and water to glucose and oxygen, using sunlight. The plants need glucose for energy, while humans need oxygen to breathe. Additionally, natural sunlight helps our bodies create vitamin D and destroy our bodies’ reserves of folic acid. We need a sufficient amount of vitamin D to live but we also need folic acid as well.
Vitamin intake is a commonly overlooked necessity in basic nutritional health. What most people do not know is that certain vitamin deficiencies can cause many health risks and problems. Many people believe that are getting all the vitamins they need from their diet, however most of the time they are not. One of the most common vitamin deficiencies is the low intake of Vitamin D. There are some vitamins that are produced by the body such as vitamin K; however some of the most important vitamins are not produced by the body. Vitamin D is one of the vitamins that our body needs to function correctly that is not naturally produced by the body. Vitamin D can be consumed through
It is derived from cholesterol, which in the skin is converted to 7-Dehydrocholesterol. Once the skin is exposed to the sun, 7-dehydrocholesterol is further converted to cholecalciferol. This is an inactive form of vitamin D, which circulates to the liver for its first activation. Once there, the enzyme 25 hydroxylase attaches a hydroxyl group (OH) to the 25th carbon on the molecule and now it becomes 25-cholecalciferol. Once it leaves the liver, 25-cholecalciferol goes to the kidneys. When blood calcium levels are low, PTH activates another enzyme in the kidneys called 1 hydroxylase. This enzyme adds another hydroxyl group (OH) to the 1st carbon of 25-hydroxycalciferol that becomes the activated form of vitamin D known as 1,25-dihydroxycalciferol or calcitriol. The action of calcitriol is twofold. First, it decreases the kidney’s excretion of calcium. Second, it increases the reabsorption of calcium from the renal tubules. This in turn increases the amount of calcium in the blood. Calcitriol also plays another role in maintaining calcium. Like PTH, it stimulates the intestines to absorb more calcium from
Starting in October, sun exposure drops significantly which depletes vitamin D levels. The levels are likely at their lowest near the end of December. Vitamin D is most popular for its role in keeping bones strong, however, a lesser known role of vitamin D is in the immune system. When vitamin D levels are low your risk of infection increases significantly!
Skin cells also synthesize melanin, and carotenes, which gives skin its color. The skin also assists in the synthesis of vitamin D. Children lacking sufficient amounts of vitamin D develop bone abnormalities known as rickets; a softening of bones due to deficiency or impaired metabolism of vitamin D, phosphorus or calcium, potentially leading to fractures and deformity.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that 75 percent or more of American teens and adults are deficient in Vitamin D. That is why we have so many serious illnesses, like cancer, diabetes and heart disease (Huff, 2010).