Vitamin D
Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin that has properties of both a vitamin and a hormone, is required for the absorption and utilization of calcium and phosphorus. It is necessary for growth, and is especially important for the normal growth and development of bones and teeth in children. It protects against muscle weakness and is involved in regulation of the heartbeat. It is also important in the prevention and treatment of breast and colon cancer, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and hypocalcemia; enhances immunity; and is necessary for thyroid function and normal blood clotting.
There are several forms of vitamin D, including vita-min D2 (ergocalciferol), which comes from food sources; vitamin D (cholecalciferol), which is synthesized in the skin in response to exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays; and a synthetic form identified as vitamin D$, Of the three, vitamin 03 is considered the natural form of vitamin D and is the most active.
