VITAMIN D
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Subject : Science & technology
Context : Study finds that 80 percent of the COVID patients deficient in Vitamin D.
Concept :
- Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin which is naturally present in very few foods like fatty fish, and fish liver oils, beef liver, cheese, and egg yolks.
- It is also produced endogenously when ultraviolet rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis.
- The sunlight triggers a chemical reaction to a cholesterol-based molecule, and converts it into calcidiol in the liver and into calcitriol in the kidney.
- These molecules technically called 25-OHD are physiologically active.
Role:
- Vitamin D maintains adequate calcium and phosphate concentrations in blood. It prevents weakening of bones.
- Vitamin D has other roles in the body, including cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function, and reduction of inflammation.
Effects of Deficiency:
- Rickets in children and osteomalacia (softening of bones) in adults.
- Bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen (Effects of deficiency).
- Vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.
- Bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen (osteoporosis) Vitamin D.