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module menu icon Vitamin D synthesis

Vitamin D synthesis

Vitamin D can be synthesised in adequate amounts by those exposed to sunlight, but it can only be obtained from a small number of foods.

In the UK, vitamin D synthesis from sunlight predominantly occurs from late March to the end of September.3 Many people obtain insufficient amounts of sunlight during this period, resulting in inadequate levels of vitamin D being synthesised to cover the winter months, increasing the risk of insufficiency.

7-dehydrocholesterol in skin UVB (280-305nm) Major source: Sun 80 - 90% Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)
Minor source: Dietary ~ 10 - 20% Vitamin D2 (Ergocalciferol): Plants
Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol): Fish, liver
fortified milk,
egg yolk.
Metabolism to circulating [25(0H)D] and active forms [1,25(0H)3D]
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