What is the Chemical name of Vitamin D?
VerifiedAnswer: Calciferol
Explanation:
Vitamin D, commonly known as the "sunshine vitamin," has the chemical name Calciferol. This fat-soluble vitamin plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy bones, teeth, and immune system function. The term "calciferol" comes from the Latin words "calci" meaning calcium and "ferol" meaning to bear or carry, which perfectly describes its primary function of helping the body absorb and utilize calcium effectively.
It's important to understand that Vitamin D exists in several forms, with the two most significant being:
• Vitamin D2 (Ergocalciferol) - This form is primarily found in plant sources and fortified foods. It's produced when ergosterol, a compound found in fungi and yeast, is exposed to ultraviolet light.
• Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) - This is the form that our skin naturally produces when exposed to sunlight. It's also found in animal-based foods like fatty fish, egg yolks, and liver.
The molecular structure of calciferol is quite fascinating. It belongs to a group of compounds called secosteroids, which are steroids with a broken ring structure. When our skin is exposed to UVB radiation from sunlight, a compound called 7-dehydrocholesterol is converted into previtamin D3, which then transforms into vitamin D3 through a temperature-dependent process.
Once vitamin D is formed or consumed through diet, it undergoes further transformations in the body. First, it travels to the liver where it's converted to 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and then to the kidneys where it becomes the active hormone calcitriol. This active form is what actually helps regulate calcium absorption in the intestines and maintains proper calcium and phosphate levels in the blood.
Understanding the chemical name and structure of vitamin D helps us appreciate why this vitamin is so essential for human health. Calciferol deficiency can lead to serious conditions like rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, both of which involve weakened bones due to poor calcium absorption. This is why many foods are fortified with vitamin D, and why moderate sun exposure is encouraged for maintaining adequate vitamin D levels in the body.
