Vitamin D (Calciferol)
What is it?
Vitamin D is fat-soluble, meaning that it is soluble in fat. Vitamin D exists in two forms: vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol, produced by plants) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol, produced by animals and certain lichens). The skin also produces vitamin D following exposure to UV B rays. This vitamin is then stored in the liver.
What are the health benefits?
- Contributes to the normal absorption and use of calcium and phosphorus
- Contributes to normal blood calcium levels and normal bone structure
- Contributes to normal muscle function
In which foods?
– Grilled sardines (12.3 µg/100g)
– Salmon (8.7 µg/100g)
– Herring (8.36 µg/100g)
– Egg yolk (2.11 µg/100g)
Things to know!
Sunlight remains the main source of vitamin D. However, the duration of exposure, skin pigmentation and age are all factors that influence our ability to synthesize vitamin D. It is therefore recommended to spend at least half an hour a day outdoors.