-5%
Vitamin D3 deficiency can occur in individuals with limited sun exposure or diets low in vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is crucial for the proper absorption of calcium and phosphate, which are necessary for healthy bones and teeth, and for preventing conditions like rickets, osteomalacia, and osteoporosis. It is also vital during pregnancy and breastfeeding to prevent pre-eclampsia and support the nutritional needs of a growing infant. Additionally, Vitamin D3 plays an essential role in boosting immunity.
Vitamin D3, in its active form as Calcitriol, works by binding to Vitamin D receptors (VDRs) found throughout various body tissues. As a fat-soluble vitamin, Vitamin D3 has a half-life of approximately 50 days. It is absorbed in the small intestine, then binds to specific alpha-globulins and is transported to the liver, where it is metabolized to 25-hydroxy Vitamin D3 (Calcidiol). A further hydroxylation process in the kidney converts it to 1,25-dihydroxy Vitamin D3 (Calcitriol), which increases calcium absorption. Non-metabolized Vitamin D3 is stored in fat and muscle tissues, and it is excreted through feces and urine.