vitamin d supplements

Vitamin D Deficiency and its Importance

Vitamin D deficiency can cause serious health issues.  Everyday it seems that another study comes out that links vitamin d deficiency to a new disease state.  Have you ever had your vitamin d level checked?  Are you at risk for a deficiency?

Vitamin D3 is a lipid soluble pro-hormone stored in the skin.  Ultraviolet B radiation from the sun converts the precursor 7-dehydrocholeserol in our skin to cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), where it is transported to the liver and undergoes hydroxylation to 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D3.)  This is the major circulating metabolite of vitamin D.  The final step of hydroxylation occurs in the kidney to produce the active hormone, 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1, 25-OH2D or calcitriol).  In turn, calcitriol will act on the intestine, bone, and kidney for the ... View More