Vitamin D Flashcards
Is vitamin D fat-soluble or water-soluble?
It is a fat-soluble vitamin
What is vitamin D also called?
Calciferol
How many forms of vitamin D are there?
Two
Name the two different types of vitamin D
Cholecalciferol D3
Ergocalciferol D2
What is cholecalciferol D3?
The animal form of vitamin D
How is cholecalciferol D3 formed?
when UV light shines on the skin which converts 7-dehydrocholesterol in the epidermis to cholecalciferol
What is ergocalciferol D2?
The plant form of vitamin D
How is ergocalciferol D2 formed?
When UV light shines on fungi and yeasts which converted ergosterol into ergocalciferol
Which form of vitamin D is used in supplements?
Ergocalciferol D2
List the properties of vitamin D
7
Most stable of all the vitamins
Fat soluble
Insoluble in water
Heat stable (unaffected by cooking or preservation)
Unaffected by acids
Unaffected by alkalis
Unaffected by oxygen
What is vitamin D unaffected by?
4
Heat
Acids
Alkalis
Oxygen
List the food sources of vitamin D
6
Oily fish Fortified milk Eggs Margarine Fish liver oils Butter
List the source of vitamin D other than food sources
Sunlight (approximately 20 minutes of sunshine per day)
List the functions of vitamin D
4
Absorption of calcium and phosphorus
Regulates amount of calcium and phosphorus in bones
Regulates amount of calcium and phosphorus in teeth
Regulates calcium levels in the blood
Vitamin D helps regulate calcium levels in the blood, describe this function
If blood-calcium levels are too low, vitamin D stimulates the production of a calcium-binding protein needed to absorb more calcium
Vitamin D helps absorb calcium and phosphorus, describe this function
Vitamin D controls the absorption of calcium and phosphorus into the blood
Vitamin D regulates the amount of calcium and phosphorus in the bones and teeth, describe this function
Vitamin D regulates the amount of calcium and phosphorus in the bones and teeth which helps to maintain density and strength
List the deficiency diseases for Vitamin D
4
Rickets
Osteomalacia
Osteoporosis
Tooth decay
What is rickets?
3
A bone disease that affects children
Bones become soft and weak
Leads to an increased risk of fractures and bone deformities such as bow legs
What is osteomalacia?
3
A bone disease that affects adults
Bones to become soft and weak due to low bone mass
Leads to an increased risk of fractures and bone pain
What is osteoporosis?
3
A bone disease common in older people or post-menopausal women
Causes bones to become brittle and fragile due to a lack of bone mass
Leads to an increased risk of fractures, a stooped posture and back pain caused by a collapsed vertebra
What is tooth decay?
A condition where the tooth enamel, bone and cementum weaken which leads to an increase in the risk of dental decay
What is the RI for children, adults and pregnant or lactating women?
10 micrograms
What is the RI for adolescents?
15 micrograms
