Vitamin+D

​​​ **__What is Vitamin D? __ ** Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. It exists mainly in two forms - Vitamin D2 and D3. ​Vitamin D2 ​ is also known as ergocalciferol while Vitamin D3 is also known as ​cholecalciferol. It's an essential vitamin for maintaining normal calcium metabolism. The IUPAC name for Vitamin D2 is (1S,3Z)-3-[(2E)-2-[(1R,3aS,7aR)-1-[(E,2R,5R)-5,6-dimethylhept-3-en-2-yl]-7a-methyl-2,3,3a,5,6,7-hexahydro-1H-inden-4-ylidene]ethylidene]-4-methylidenecyclohexan-1-ol. Vitamin D2 has a molecular formula of C28H44O. The IUPAC name for Vitamin D3 is (1S,3Z)-3-[(2E)-2-[(1R,3aS,7aR)-7a-methyl-1-[(2R)-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-2,3,3a,5,6,7-hexahydro-1H-inden-4-ylidene]ethylidene]-4-methylidenecyclohexan-1-ol. The molecular formula of Vitamin D3 is C27H44O.  Vitamin D is produced when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet B light. It also exists naturally in certain foods. For example, halibut and cod liver oils, herring, mackerel, salmon, sardines, eel and eggs. Vitamin D has been added to foods like yoghurt and milk. Cholecalciferol is made by irradiating 7-dehydrocholesterol with ultraviolet light. Ergocalciferol is made in a similar manner except the starting product is ergosterol-a yeast extract.
 * [[image:http://www.scientificpsychic.com/health/vitamin-D-metabolism.gif width="264" height="288" align="left" caption="How the body uses Vitamin D."]] __How Vitamin D is Made__ **

**__How the Body Uses Vitamin D__** Vitamin D is a special vitamin, it doesn't just act like a vitamin but it also acts like a hormone. Vitamin D is carried in the bloodstream to the liver where it's converted into prohormone calcidiol. It helps the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the small intestines and the mineralization process of bones.  It's important for people to intake enough Vitamin D, too less Vitamin D can lead to Rickets in children and Osteomalacia in adults. Rickets is a disease where bones do not grow strong and straight. Osteomalacia is a disease where the bones soften and break easily. Osteomalacia contributes to Osteoporosis, a disease where the bones lose tissues. Children need to intake a sufficient amount of Vitamin D as their bones are still growing and developing. Requirements for Vitamin D increase with aging. __**Too Much Vitamin D**__ Too much Vitamin D can be a problem too. Vitamin D controls the amount of calcium being absorbed into the body. Excess calcium is usually passed out in urine, the kidneys can't handle too much calcium at one time. The kidneys will be damaged if there is too much calcium at once.
 * __Vitamin D Deficiency__**
 * ~ Recommended Dietary Allowance ||
 * = Children (ages 1-10) ||= Adolescents/Adults ||
 * = 5 µg ||= 5-15 µg ||

__** Interesting Facts about Vitamin D **__ -Vitamin D has been around for 750 million years.

-1 multivitamin and 2 servings of milk each day still equals Vitamin D deficiency.

-90% to 95% of Vitamin D comes from your exposure to the sun.

-Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to 18 types of cancer. -Studies show that Vitamin D may also provide protection from Psoriasis, Multiple Sclerosis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

__** Bibliography **__ Royston, Angela. //Vitamins and Minerals for a healthy body//. Chicago: Heinemann Library, 2003. Print. Nitzke, Susan. "Vitamin D." //World Book Encyclopedia U-V//. 20. 2009. Print. "Chemical Information Search." //chemindustry//. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Jun 2010. . "Chemical Structure of Vitamins and Minerals." //Scientific Psychic//. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Jun 2010. <http://www.scientificpsychic.com/health/vitamins.html>. "Is Vitamin D Deficiency Responsible For Your Winter Lower Back Pain?." //American Pain Clinic//. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jun 2010. <http://www.americanpainfl.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Vitamin-d-and-lower-back-pain.jpg>. "The Sun." //Drawbooks//. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jun 2010. <http://www.drawbooks.com/123_draw_series/73-images/07_04.gif>. "Vitamin D." //Linus Pauling Institute//. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Jun 2010. <http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminD/>. "Vitamin D." //University of Bristol//. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Jun 2010. <http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/webprojects2002/schnepp/vitamind.html "Vitamin D." //Vitamin Basics//. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Jun 2010. <http://www.vitamin-basics.com/index.php?id=37 Holly Jin Block <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">D **