| Cholecalciferol (vitamin D) | |||||
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- What is cholecalciferol (vitamin D)?
- Important cholecalciferol (vitamin D) facts
- Why cholecalciferol (vitamin D) is important
What is cholecalciferol (vitamin D)?
Cholecalciferol (vitamin D) is an important vitamin in the body. It has a vital role in regulating levels of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus absorption, and it also assists with the formation of bone, prevents bone loss and osteoporosis. Cholecalciferol (vitamin D) helps to control the movement of calcium between the bones and the blood.
Cholecalciferol (vitamin D) can be synthesised in the skin from exposure to ultra-violet (UVB) light from the sun.
Cholecalciferol (vitamin D) is a fat-soluble vitamin and it also has hormone-like properties.
Being a fat soluble vitamin means that any excess of cholecalciferol (vitamin D) consumed is stored in the liver. In addition to this, in order to absorb the cholecalciferol (vitamin D) from food consumed, it should have lipid (fat) in it.
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Important cholecalciferol (vitamin D) facts
- Cholecalciferol (vitamin D) can be obtained from exposure to sunshine
- Cholecalciferol (vitamin D) is also known as calcitriol
- Cholecalciferol (vitamin D) is written as D3, which is the more active form of vitamin D
- Cod liver oil is a major source of cholecalciferol (vitamin D)
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Why cholecalciferol (vitamin D) is important
Cholecalciferol (vitamin D) is not an active vitamin. Once it is in the body, it gets carried to the kidneys, where it is synthesised into a more active form.
Cholecalciferol (vitamin D) is a hormone that is involved in mineral (calcium, magnesium and phosphorus) metabolism and bone growth.
references
- Osiecki, Henry, The Nutrient Bible 2002, BioConcepts Publishing
- Osiecki, Henry. The Physician's Handbook of Clinical Nutrition. 6th edition, 2001, BioConcepts Publishing
- Rolfes SR, Pinna K, Whitney E. Understanding Normal and Clinical Nutrition. 7th Edition, 2005. Brooks Cole Publishing
- Volpe SL, Taper LJ, Meacham S. The relationship between boron and magnesium status and bone mineral density in the human: a review. Magnes Res. 1993 Sep;6(3):291-6
To learn more, go to the following web sites:
- Food Standards Australia and New Zealand
- Dieticians Association of Australia
- Nutrient Reference Values (Australia)
