Vitamin D production

Vitamin D is a form of steroid hormone. It plays a very important role in the mineralization of the bone and in the maintaining an adequate level of calcium and phosphorus in the body. Vitamin D is composed of either vitamin D 3 or Vitamin D 2 molecule.

Formation of vitamin D

Vitamin D is synthesized mainly through the skin. Thus adequate exposure to sunlight can help enhance the level of vitamin D in the body. The Vitamin D 3 molecule is also known as cholecalciferol. In the liver, this cholecalciferol is hydroxylated to 25-hydrooxycholecalciferol. This is done with the help of an enzyme known as 25-hydroxylase. Within the kidney 1, 25 – dihydroxycholecalciferol is produced from 1-alpha-hydroxylase. In this process 25-vitamin D is used as a substrate. 1, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol is the active biological form of vitamin D. in our skin vitamin D is produced with the help of UVB, which is present in the sunlight.

Sources of vitamin D

Vitamin D is abundantly present in sunlight. Hence, appropriate exposure to the morning sun is apt for taking in vitamin D. moreover, green leafy vegetables too are rich in vitamin D. in order to enhance the level of vitamin D in the body, and it is also advisable to consume fish. Fishes such as sardine, salmon, tuna and so on are rich in vitamin D. it is also said that egg yolk can help solve vitamin D deficiency.

Diseases caused due to deficiency of vitamin D

Deficiency of vitamin D can lead to considerable problems. Rickets is one such disease caused due to lack of vitamin D in the body. Rickets is also known as osteoporosis. In this kind of disease the bone density reduces and as a result it turns brittle and eventually breaks down. Moreover, it may lead to fatigue, high blood pressure, arthritis and sometimes even cardiac diseases. Osteomalacia is another problem that one may have to deal with due to lack of vitamin D. hence it is very important to eat the right kind of food. But along with this, one must remember that too much of anything can be injurious too. So a proportionate food and exercise is the right way to lead a healthy life.

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