Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D)

Photograph of Cholecalciferol under the microscope

Cholecalciferol is the most widely known of the vitamin D series and is a fat soluble vitamin that is stored to some degree in the body. Many people know that sunlight is a source of vitamin D, but this is true only in the fact that ultraviolet light from the sun acts as a catalyst on a vitamin D precursor in the skin. Vitamin D formed in this manner is termed "natural vitamin D" or vitamin D3. Vitamin D precursors obtained from milk and other products as well as sunlight-produced vitamin D must be metabolized in the liver to form the active coenzyme. The primary functions of vitamin D are stimulation of calcium and magnesium absorption, two minerals that are essential for strong bones. Sources of vitamin D include fish liver oil, butter, and milk.

© 1995-2022 by Michael W. Davidson and The Florida State University. All Rights Reserved. No images, graphics, software, scripts, or applets may be reproduced or used in any manner without permission from the copyright holders. Use of this website means you agree to all of the Legal Terms and Conditions set forth by the owners.
This website is maintained by our
Graphics & Web Programming Team
in collaboration with Optical Microscopy at the
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.
Last modification: Monday, Jul 02, 2018 at 04:23 PM
Access Count Since March 20, 1998: 81155