Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)

Properties

* white crystalline solid
* most stable vitamin
* Insoluble in water
* Heat stable- unaffected by cooking or heat treatments used in food processing.

Sources

* oily fish
* Liver
* Eggs
* Margarine

Functions

* necessary for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, helping to form and maintain healthy bones and teeth
* Regulates the balance of calcium between the blood and the skeleton.
* Prevents rickets and osteomalacia.
* Helps to prevent to development of osteoporosis in older people

Effects of deficiency

* Rickets- a bone disease that occurs in children, resulting in weak malformed bones.
* Osteomalacia- a bone disease that occurs in adults, resulting in calcium loss and weaker bones.
* Tooth decay
* Fragile bones and an increased risk of bone fractures due to the onset of osteoporosis