Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays an imperative role in bone development, the nervous, muscular and immune system. It not only occurs naturally in some foods, but can be produced endogenously through skin exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight. The two key forms of vitamin D are vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). They are also known as "the sunshine vitamin", produced under the irradiation of ultraviolet rays (UVB). Among them, vitamin D2 is found in plants and fungi, while D3 is found in animals and humans. Notably, vitamin D3 is the preferred form of fortified foods and supplements over vitamin D2.

Functions

Vitamin D has received widespread attention due to its various critical roles in the human body, and the main functions are listed below.

• Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for normal bone development and maintenance. As well as promoting intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus for building bones, it contributes to maintaining the balance and metabolism of calcium in the body, thus preventing rickets and osteoporosis.
• Vitamin D can trigger the body's immune cells to produce antibodies, which contributes to an overall increase in the strength of the immune system.
• Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It can reduce the growth of cancer cells, control infections, and reduce inflammation.
• Vitamin D helps maintain joint and muscle comfort.
• Vitamin D helps maintain a healthy mood.

Deficiency

• In adults, symptoms of inadequate vitamin D intake include fatigue, muscle weakness, and bone pain.
• In children, symptoms of mild vitamin D deficiency are basically the same as in adults, while severe deficiency can lead to bone deformities such as rickets.

How to Get Vitamin D?

Sunlight is the primary source of vitamin D. Vitamin D is produced when our skin is exposed to sunlight, especially type B UV (UVB) radiation with a wavelength of approximately 290-320 nm. UVB can convert 7-dehydrocholesterol on the skin into provitamin D3, which eventually leads to vitamin D3. Although sunlight exposure is a simple method to obtain vitamin D, this method also has certain limitations, such as being affected by weather, seasons and the working environment. People cannot guarantee sufficient exposure to sunlight every day. What is more, there is a risk of skin cancer from skin exposure to UV radiation because UV radiation is a carcinogen. Therefore, the actual availability of vitamin D from sunlight is uncertain.

Vitamin D plays a vital role in bone health. When sunlight and food are not enough to supplement the body's vitamin D, it is necessary to take dietary supplements containing vitamin D. Notably, the appropriate dosage of vitamin D supplements should be determined under the guidance of an integrative doctor or a registered dietitian.

Alfa Chemistry offers high-quality vitamin D ingredients, including vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. You can view the information on vitamin D by clicking the links at the top of the page. If you don not find the product you need, please feel free to contact us, we will be happy to serve you.

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