Information and Facts

Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin occurring naturally as cholecalciferol (D2) which is found only in animal sources and ergocalciferol. It was isolated from cod liver oil in 1930 by Dr. E. Mallanby. Sunlight activates the metabolism of vitamin D in the body.

Vitamin D2 Chemical Structure, C6H8O6

FUNCTION

• essential for the normal development of teeth
• helps maintain blood levels of calcium and phosphorous.
• helps regulate the heart (through calcium absorption)
• helps to build bone mass and prevent bone loss
• maintains good health and vitality
• necessary for calcium and phosphorus utilization and absorption from the small intestine
• prevents and cures infantile rickets rickets
• promotes strong teeth
• protects against muscle weakness

FOOD SOURCES

• butter
• cheese
• cream
• dairy products
• eggs, especially egg yolk
• fish and fish oils, especially cod, halibut, kippers, mackerel, salmon, sardines and tuna
• margarine
• milk
• yogurt

EFFECTIVE WITH

• Calcium
• Choline
• Phosphorus
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C

INCREASED INTAKES NEEDED

• during pregnancy and breastfeeding

USED FOR

• dental care
• cancer prevention
• bone and teeth formation
• bowels
• breast
• nerve and muscle formation
• hypoparathyroidism
• malabsorption
• rheumatoid arthritis
• treating osteomalacia
• treating osteoporosis
• treating metabolic bone disease

DESTROYED BY

• not easily destroyed, stable to most cooking and food processing techniques

SYMPTOMS OF DEFICIENCY

In Children:

• delayed ability to stand, crawl and walk
• development of knock knees or bow legs
• excessive sweating of the head
• softening of bones due to a lack of Calcium Phosphate
• unnatural limb posture

In Adults:

• bone pain in ribs, lower spine, pelvis, legs
• brittle and easily broken bones
• muscular weakness and spasms

DEFICIENCY LEADS TO

• osteomalacia in adults
• rickets in children

SYMPTOMS OF TOXICITY

Vitamin D is the most toxic of all vitamins. Symptoms of toxicity include:

In Children:

• constant thirst
• constipation alternating with diarrhea
• death can result in extreme cases
• depression
• excessive passing of urine
• head and bone pains
• high blood calcium levels and eventual calcium deposits in arteries, kidneys, heart, lungs, soft tissues and organs
• irritability and depression
• loss of appetite
• loss of weight
• nausea
• vomiting

In Adults:

• calcium deposits in kidneys, soft tissues and organs
• constipation
• death can result in extreme cases
• dehydration
• excessive passing of urine
• excessive thirst
• kidney failure
• nausea
• weakness

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Return to the Vitamin Information Resource Center

More Vitamin Information: 

Beta Carotene  ||  Biotin  ||  Choline & Choline/ Inositol  ||  Folic Acid  ||  Inositol  ||  Multivitamins  ||  Vitamin A  ||  Vitamin B-1 (Thiamin)  ||  Vitamin B-12 (Cyanocobalamin)  ||  Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin)  ||  Vitamin B-3(Niacin)  ||  Vitamin B-5 (Pantothenic Acid)  ||  Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine)  ||  Vitamin B-Complex  ||  Vitamin C/ Bioflavonoids  ||  Vitamin D  ||  Vitamin E  ||  Vitamin K