Tag: Cholesterol precursor

Did you know the skin produces up to 90% of the body's vitamin D? This is only possible because of a crucial compound called 7-dehydrocholesterol, which is used for synthesizing this essential nutrient when exposed to sunlight. Beyond its role as a provitamin, this vital molecule has other important functions within the body and is a key diagnostic marker for a rare genetic disorder.

An estimated 40% of the worldwide population is vitamin D deficient, which brings attention to its precursor, 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC). 7-dehydrocholesterol, also known as provitamin D3, is primarily found in the deeper layers of mammalian skin, where it is converted into vitamin D3 through exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight. It is a critical component of the cholesterol synthesis pathway and is also present in certain animal products and industrial sources.