Tag: Active vitamin d

According to the National Institutes of Health, vitamin D is produced in the body when ultraviolet rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger its synthesis. This fascinating biochemical process begins with a common substance found in human skin: cholesterol, specifically its derivative, 7-dehydrocholesterol.

While most people recognize the importance of vitamin D for bone health, many are unaware that this vital nutrient exists in multiple forms that differ in source and potency. Understanding what different vitamin D's are there and how they function in the body is crucial for effective supplementation and maintaining overall health.

While most people believe that the vitamin D they get from sunshine or supplements is directly usable by the body, this is not the case. The biologically inactive vitamin D, whether from diet or dermal synthesis, requires a two-step enzymatic conversion process within the body to become active.

According to the National Institutes of Health, vitamin D deficiency affects a significant portion of the population, underscoring the importance of understanding this crucial nutrient's various forms. The most biologically active form of vitamin D is calcitriol, which plays a pivotal role in regulating calcium and phosphorus levels in the body.

Over 21% of the U.S. population has insufficient vitamin D levels, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. While many associate this vital nutrient with healthy bones, understanding what active vitamin D does reveals a more complex and far-reaching role in supporting overall physiological function.

The substance we commonly refer to as Vitamin D is, in fact, a prohormone that our body must convert multiple times before it becomes biologically active. The final, most potent form is known as **calcitriol**, and it functions as a steroid hormone with profound effects on human health far beyond simple bone support. Understanding which is the biologically active hormone sometimes called active vitamin D is key to appreciating its role beyond simple nutrition.

According to the National Institutes of Health, vitamin D deficiency is a widespread issue, affecting a significant portion of the population. To understand its critical function in the body, one must look beyond the simple vitamin and grasp **what is another name for active vitamin D**—calcitriol.