Vitamin D: Essential Fat-Soluble Secosteroid for Mineral Absorption - Research Paper

Introduction

Vitamin D is an essential fat-soluble secosteroid, which is responsible for the increase of absorption of minerals such as magnesium calcium and phosphate at the intestine walls. There are groups of vitamin D. The significant groups that are essential to human beings are vitamin D2 known as ergocalciferol and Vitamin D3, also known as cholecalciferol (Alon, 2019). The primary source of the vitaminD3 creation is at the epidermis layer of the skin. The chemical reaction occurring at the epidermis is light-dependent and only occurs in the presence of UV rays. Vitamin C has taken in through the diet supplements; although even vitamin D can be ingested through a diet, it is only a few food groups such as fish and fatty flesh that has vitamin D. Milk and other substitutes such as cereals and mushrooms are an excellent source because of their contact with the sun. There are recommendations that dietary supplements are essential because exposure to the sun rays is not guaranteed, and it may be responsible for the cause of skin cancer.

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Vitamin D is not in its biologically active form when ingested or received from the sun. There should be a protein enzyme that stimulates and speeds up the conversion. The process always occurs in the liver and the kidney. Cholecalciferol is converted to calcifediol in the liver, while ergocalciferol is converted to hydroxyergocalciferol. When the two groups of vitamins metabolize, they can be measured in the serum. This has enabled doctors to measure the levels of vitamin D in the body of a person. The biologically active form of vitamin D in the body of a mammal is known as calcitriol, and plays a significant role in the regulation of the concentration of phosphate and promote the healthy growth of bone structures (Alon, 2019). It promotes the growth of cells and the reduction of inflammations. It is essential for homeostasis and breakdown.

The deficiency of vitamin D leads to brittleness and low density of the bones. It leads to osteoporosis, where the affected individuals are vulnerable to breakage of bones. Other server effects of the deficiency of this essential vitamin are the development of secondary hyperparathyroidism related to massive loss of bone tissue osteomalacia. Extreme lack of vitamin D leads to myopathy, a condition related to the paining of the weakening of muscles. It causes rickets, especially among children who develop bowed legs that hinders motion due to their softness. According to orthopedic reports, the recommended intake (RDI) is supposed to be a maximum of 400 to 800 IU (Alon, 2019). Orthopedic reports indicated the deficiency of vitamin D as most rampant with at least 1 billion people suffering from it. A study done in the year 2011 showed that 41% of American adults suffered from the deficiency. the Hispanic adults, and the African-Americans were reported to have 69 and 82%, respectively (Alon, 2019). People with dark-skins, the elderly, the overweight, and people using sunscreen are at the highest risk of vitamin D deficiency. The people living around the equator are less likely to experience the lack due to the constant exposure to the UV rays to satisfy the needs.

Reference

Alon, U. (2019). The Physiology and Hormonal Control of Calcium, Phosphate and Vitamin D. Retrieved from https://scholarlyexchange.childrensmercy.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1012&context=presentations