Vitamin D

Question 1

Is vitamin D fat-soluble or water-soluble?

Answer 1

It is a fat-soluble vitamin

Question 2

What is vitamin D also called?

Answer 2

Calciferol

Question 3

How many forms of vitamin D are there?

Answer 3

Two

Question 4

Name the two different types of vitamin D

Answer 4

Cholecalciferol D3

Ergocalciferol D2

Question 5

What is cholecalciferol D3?

Answer 5

The animal form of vitamin D

Question 6

How is cholecalciferol D3 formed?

Answer 6

when UV light shines on the skin which converts 7-dehydrocholesterol in the epidermis to cholecalciferol

Question 7

What is ergocalciferol D2?

Answer 7

The plant form of vitamin D

Question 8

How is ergocalciferol D2 formed?

Answer 8

When UV light shines on fungi and yeasts which converted ergosterol into ergocalciferol

Question 9

Which form of vitamin D is used in supplements?

Answer 9

Ergocalciferol D2

Question 10

List the properties of vitamin D

7

Answer 10

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

Question 11

What is vitamin D unaffected by?

4

Answer 11

Heat
Acids
Alkalis
Oxygen

Question 12

List the food sources of vitamin D

6

Answer 12

Oily fish 
Fortified milk 
Eggs 
Margarine 
Fish liver oils 
Butter

Question 13

List the source of vitamin D other than food sources

Answer 13

Sunlight (approximately 20 minutes of sunshine per day)

Question 14

List the functions of vitamin D

4

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Vitamin D helps regulate calcium levels in the blood, describe this function

Answer 15

If blood-calcium levels are too low, vitamin D stimulates the production of a calcium-binding protein needed to absorb more calcium

Question 16

Vitamin D helps absorb calcium and phosphorus, describe this function

Answer 16

Vitamin D controls the absorption of calcium and phosphorus into the blood

Question 17

Vitamin D regulates the amount of calcium and phosphorus in the bones and teeth, describe this function

Answer 17

Vitamin D regulates the amount of calcium and phosphorus in the bones and teeth which helps to maintain density and strength

Question 18

List the deficiency diseases for Vitamin D

4

Answer 18

Rickets
Osteomalacia
Osteoporosis
Tooth decay

Question 19

What is rickets?

3

Answer 19

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

Question 20

What is osteomalacia?

3

Answer 20

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

Question 21

What is osteoporosis?

3

Answer 21

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

Question 22

What is tooth decay?

Answer 22

A condition where the tooth enamel, bone and cementum weaken which leads to an increase in the risk of dental decay

Question 23

What is the RI for children, adults and pregnant or lactating women?

Answer 23

10 micrograms

Question 24

What is the RI for adolescents?

Answer 24

15 micrograms