Are you curious about the different forms of vitamin D and how they work in the body? Let's explore the fascinating world of vitamin D and its diverse forms:
Vitamin D2 (Ergocalciferol):
Source: Found in some plants and fungi, and often added to fortified foods and supplements.
Conversion: Converted into the active form of vitamin D in the liver.
Function: Helps maintain calcium balance and supports bone health.
Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol):
Source: Mainly synthesized in the skin when exposed to sunlight, also found in some animal-based foods and supplements.
Conversion: Converted into the active form of vitamin D in the liver and kidneys.
Function: Essential for calcium absorption, bone health, immune function, and overall well-being.
Calcitriol (Active Vitamin D):
Source: Produced in the kidneys from vitamin D3.
Function: Regulates calcium and phosphate levels in the blood, promotes bone mineralization, and supports various cellular processes.
Calcidiol (25-Hydroxyvitamin D):
Source: Intermediate form of vitamin D produced in the liver from vitamin D2 or D3.
Function: Used as a marker to assess vitamin D status in the body.
Understanding the different forms of vitamin D and how they are synthesized and utilized in the body can help you optimize your vitamin D levels for overall health and well-being. Remember to get plenty of sunlight exposure, consume vitamin D-rich foods, and consider supplementation if needed.
Stay healthy and soak up the sunshine!
Research and References:
Vitamin D2 (Ergocalciferol) and Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol):
Holick MF. Vitamin D: importance in the prevention of cancers, type 1 diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Mar;79(3):362-71. PMID: 14985208.
Armas LA, Hollis BW, Heaney RP. Vitamin D2 is much less effective than vitamin D3 in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004 Nov;89(11):5387-91. doi: 10.1210/jc.2004-0360. PMID: 15531486.
Calcitriol (Active Vitamin D):
Bouillon R, Carmeliet G, Verlinden L, van Etten E, Verstuyf A, Luderer HF, Lieben L, Mathieu C, Demay M. Vitamin D and human health: lessons from vitamin D receptor null mice. Endocr Rev. 2008 Oct;29(6):726-76. doi: 10.1210/er.2008-0004. Epub 2008 Sep 4. PMID: 18768732.
Holick MF. Vitamin D: A millenium perspective. J Cell Biochem. 2003 Feb 1;88(2):296-307. doi: 10.1002/jcb.10338. PMID: 12520530.
Calcidiol (25-Hydroxyvitamin D):
Yetley EA. Assessing the vitamin D status of the US population. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 Aug;88(2):558S-564S. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/88.2.558S. PMID: 18689389.
Nair R, Maseeh A. Vitamin D: The "sunshine" vitamin. J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2012 Apr;3(2):118-26. doi: 10.4103/0976-500X.95506. PMID: 22629085.
These studies provide scientific evidence supporting the different forms of vitamin D and their roles in various physiological processes in the body.