What Is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that’s involved in many essential body functions. There are two forms of vitamin D in the diet and supplements: Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol): found in some mushrooms. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol): found in oily fish, fish liver oil, and egg yolks.
Significant amounts of vitamin D can also be made in your skin when exposed to UV rays from sunlight.
Contents
These nutrients are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children, and bone pain caused by a condition called osteomalacia in adults.
Government advice is that everyone should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter.
Warnings
D3, also known as cholecalciferol, is a supplement that helps your body absorb calcium. It’s typically used to treat people who have a vitamin D deficiency or related disorder, such as rickets or osteomalacia.
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