Vitamin D

topleft.gif (1818 bytes)

>Introduction
>Balanced Diet
>Varying Foods
>Carbs & Fiber
>Fats and Protein
>Bad Meals vs. Good Meals

>Healthy Habits
>Vegetarians
>Eating Disorders
>Road to Success! >Negative Thinking

>Importance
>Fat Soluble Vitamins
>Water Soluble Vitamins
>Minerals

>Archive
>Submit a Recipe

[Back to Vitamins & Minerals][Vitamin A][Vitamin E][Vitamin K]

Major dietary sources include fortified milk, liver, fatty saltwater fish, butter and eggs. The body is able to synthesize Vitamin D when skin is exposed to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet light.

Major Body Functions:

>Essential for normal growth and development Required for the formation of healthy bones and teeth
>Helps with calcium absorption from food Helps maintain proper blood levels of calcium and phosphorus.

Deficiency Symptoms:

>Rickets (softening of bones) in infants and children
>Osteomalacia (softening of bones) in adults

Excessive Intake and Toxicity Symptoms:
>Calcification (hardening) of soft tissues, which can result in damage to the kidneys and heart
>Increased excretion of calcium in urine
>Increased calcium in blood
>Loss of appetite
>Headaches, weakness and fatigue