What is vitamin D and what are its benefits and harms to the human body?

Vitamin D is a sterol derivative, which has anti-rickets effect, also known as anti-rickets vitamins. The most important members of the vitamin D family are D2 and D3. Vitamin D is a derivative of different provitamin D after ultraviolet irradiation.

Plants do not contain vitamin D, but provitamin D is present in both animals and plants. Ergosol in plants is the original vitamin D2, which can be converted into vitamin D2 after ultraviolet irradiation, also known as ergocalciferol; The 7-dehydrocholesterol contained in the skin of humans and animals is the original vitamin D3, which is converted into vitamin D3 after ultraviolet irradiation, also known as cholecalciferol. Vitamin D2 Molecular Formula C28H44O Vitamin D3 Molecular Formula C27H44O (The subscript is not displayed, it should be carbon27 hydrogen 44 oxygen) Vitamin D mainly has the following physiological functions:

1. Improve the body's absorption of calcium and phosphorus, so that the level of plasma calcium and plasma phosphorus reaches a saturation degree. 2. Promote growth and bone calcification, and promote healthy teeth; 3. Increase phosphorus absorption through the intestinal wall and phosphorus resorption through renal tubules; 4. Maintain the normal level of citrate in the blood; 5. Prevent the loss of amino acids through the kidneys.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, vitamin D deficiency can cause a decrease in calcium and phosphorus absorption, a decrease in blood calcium, affect bone calcification, lead to osteomalacia, deformation, rickets in infants and young children, and also affect the nerves, hematopoiesis, autoimmunity is reduced, adults can develop osteomalacia, easy to fracture, excessive calcium supplementation can cause poisoning, manifested as nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, pregnant women too much calcium intake can cause fetal intellectual dysplasia and bone calcification, neuropsychiatric state in infancy

Vitamin D deficiency can cause decreased calcium and phosphorus absorption.

1. Heart disease: Vitamin D plays a key role in regulating cell reproduction - cancer patients lack this regulatory mechanism. Thus, by preventing cells from overgrowing, vitamin D can protect against certain cancers.

2. Diabetes: In type diabetes, the immune system kills the body's own cells. Scientists believe that vitamin D acts as an immunosuppressant. They believe that it may prevent the immune system from overreacting.

3. High blood pressure: vitamin D is used by the parathyroid gland on the thyroid gland in the neck. These glands secrete a hormone that regulates calcium levels in the body, which helps regulate blood pressure.

4. Rickets and osteoporosis: Vitamin D can strengthen bones and prevent rickets in children and osteoporosis in the elderly.

Vitamin D has several characteristics that are different from other vitamins: (1) it is a steroid whose main effects are very similar to other steroid hormones; (2) When the organs (**, etc.) are exposed to sufficient ultraviolet rays, the body can store considerable vitamin D; (3) It is the only vitamin known to be converted into hormones. Vitamin D is related to the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the body. Its main function is to promote the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the small intestine, and to maintain the constant concentration of calcium (calcium food) and phosphorus in blood and tissue fluid.

By promoting the absorption of minerals into the bones, it also acts directly on the calcification process. In the kidneys, vitamin D promotes the removal of phosphorus. Vitamin D also maintains nervous system stability, normal heart activity, and blood clotting.

Vitamin D also increases the level of citric acid in tissues. Increases the excretion of citric acid. Efficacy——— Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption **Black people who eat vitamin D can effectively whiten.

Vitamin D has a wide range of uses and is closely related to our lives, what are its health benefits?