Vitamin D: biology, deficiency, and metabolism

Vitamin D overview and misconceptions

Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble compounds that help the body absorb calcium and phosphate and support many other biological functions. In humans, the two main forms are vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol). Although commonly called a vitamin, vitamin D acts more like a hormone: skin exposure to UVB light can produce vitamin D3, and dietary intake, fortification, and supplements can also contribute. After intake or skin synthesis, vitamin D is converted in the liver to 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and then further activated in the kidneys (and some immune cells) to calcitriol, the biologically active form that signals through the vitamin D receptor (VDR).

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Fat-soluble secosteroid hormone concept

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