Why is ergosterol called pro-vitamin D?
                                
                                
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                                    3 min read                                
                            
                                Over 1 billion people worldwide are estimated to have vitamin D deficiency, making dietary sources and supplements critical for public health. Ergosterol is called pro-vitamin D because it serves as a biological precursor to vitamin D2, a process that relies on ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This sterol, found in fungi and yeast, is chemically converted into the active vitamin form, offering a unique pathway for humans to acquire this vital nutrient.