Vitamin D: The Sunshine Vitamin

Vocabulary flashcards covering the functions, dietary sources, deficiency symptoms, and toxicity of Vitamin D as discussed in the lecture.

Sunshine vitamin

A name for Vitamin D because the body can synthesize it when exposed to sufficient sunlight.

Vitamin D Classification

Considered to be both a vitamin and a hormone.

Bone health

In children, it supports bone growth and development; in adults, it supports continued health and maintenance of the bones.

Parathyroid hormone

A hormone whose effects are enhanced by Vitamin D when blood calcium levels are too low.

Carrier proteins

Molecules in the intestines whose production is stimulated by Vitamin D to increase dietary calcium absorption.

Calcitonin

A hormone that inhibits Vitamin D's role in enhancing parathyroid hormone when blood calcium levels are too high.

Calcification

The process Vitamin D promotes for calcium and phosphorus when blood calcium levels are high.

Cell differentiation and growth

The process by which Vitamin D ensures correct cell reproduction and prevents damaged cells, which can lead to cancer, from growing.

Major dietary sources of Vitamin D

Fortified milk and cereals.

Animal sources of Vitamin D

Oily fish, egg yolk, butter, and liver; levels depend on the food consumed by the source animal.

Rickets

A Vitamin D deficiency symptom characterized by bone deformation.

Osteomalacia

A condition caused by Vitamin D deficiency resulting in soft bones and an increased risk of fracture.

Osteoporosis

A Vitamin D deficiency symptom involving decreased bone mass and density.

Toxicity UL for 19-50 y/o

The Upper Limit (UL) for high supplement doses is $2,000\,IU$.

Hypercalcemia

The hallmark condition of Vitamin D toxicity.