Useful For

Vitamin D is a fat soluble steroid hormone that comes in two forms, vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Vitamin D is synthesized from cholesterol upon skin exposure to UVB sunlight or through dietary intake. Vitamin D is hydroxylated in the liver to form 25-OH Vitamin D which is further hydroxylated in the kidney to form the biologically active form, 1,25-(OH)2 Vitamin D. The active hormone is tightly regulated by plasma parathyroid hormone levels and serum calcium and phosphorous levels. The active form, 1,25-(OH)2 Vitamin D, increases the intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorous, both are required for regulating bone metabolism. Recently, research has indicated that vitamin D deficiency may be linked to chronic diseases such as cancer (breast, colon and prostate), cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, osteomalacia and several autoimmune diseases among others.