| Close to a hormone and a vitamin at the same | | | | To fully understand the function of the vitamin D3 |
| time, cholecalciferol or vitamin D3 is completely | | | | we should stress the fact that it helps the |
| produced at the skin level under the direct | | | | processing of the calcium at the intestine level |
| influence of sunlight. The structure of vitamin D3 | | | | favoring its absorption in the system. |
| is close to that of certain steroids such as cortisol, | | | | Nevertheless, when too much vitamin D3 is |
| testosterone and cholesterol, and the substance is | | | | administered, there is a whole range of problems |
| present under various forms within the body | | | | that can appear, and they are all connected to |
| system. There is an inactive and an active type | | | | too high an amount of calcium in the blood. A |
| of vitamin D3, and then, there is the one known | | | | decrease in the renal function and the so-called |
| as the blood-calcium form. When health tests are | | | | hypercalcemia are the symptoms to be expected |
| performed, the level of all these vitamin D3 | | | | after too large vitamin D3 intakes. A precaution |
| varieties is measured. One form results from the | | | | measure to avoid further health problems is to |
| other: the first is produced by the skin, carried to | | | | adjust the vitamin dosage in the case of patients |
| the liver and then sent to the kidneys where it | | | | with a renal dysfunction. |
| gets is pro-hormone form. | | | | The proper dosage of vitamin D3 should be kept |
| Food fortification relies on vitamin D3, as this is | | | | below 2000 IU/day in case you take any |
| the most important one in the group, with a | | | | supplement; otherwise this must-have chemical |
| major role in the processing of both calcium and | | | | can be taken from food. Besides margarine, milk |
| phosphorus. If we were to compare vitamin D3 | | | | and cereals fortified with vitamin D3, this oil-soluble |
| and vitamin D2, the former is definitely considered | | | | substance is to be found in cod liver, salmon, |
| more potent and with longer lasting effects, but it | | | | mackerel and tuna. Therefore, people who focus |
| also requires careful administration in supplements. | | | | their diets of fish products are less likely to suffer |
| There is a limit of body tolerance for vitamin D3 | | | | from vitamin D3 deficiency or hypocalcemia. Thus, |
| intakes which should not be overpassed; hence, | | | | food and sun exposure should ensure the proper |
| make sure to never administrate it without | | | | amount of cholecalciferol necessary for the |
| consulting your doctor first. | | | | proper functioning of the body. |