What is the main function of vitamin D?

Vitamin D increases the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the small intestine. Vitamin D therefore helps to mineralise and maintain bones and teeth.

How does vitamin D help to regulate the level of calcium in the blood?

Vitamin D is converted in the liver and then the kidneys into its active hormone form, calcitriol. Calcitriol raises blood calcium by increasing absorption from the gut and reabsorption in the kidneys.

Name valuable food sources of vitamin D.

Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and herring are the richest natural sources. Eggs, red meat, fortified breakfast cereals and fortified fat spreads supply smaller amounts.

Why is it difficult to meet vitamin D needs from food alone?

Vitamin D occurs naturally in only a small range of foods, mainly oily fish and eggs. Diet alone therefore rarely provides the recommended intake.

What is the UK recommended intake of vitamin D, and which body set it?

Everyone over one year old needs 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day. The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) set this recommendation in 2016.

CCEA A-Level Nutrition and Food Science 3310

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Vitamins

Vitamin D and sunlight

3 things to know
AS 1

Overview

Vitamin D from sunlight and food, calcium regulation, the 10 microgram recommendation and who needs a supplement, rickets, osteomalacia, osteoporosis and excess.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What is rickets?

Key term

What is osteomalacia, and who is most at risk?

Key term

How does the body obtain most of its vitamin D?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
How does the body obtain most of its vitamin D?
Model answer
Most vitamin D is made in the skin when it is exposed to ultraviolet B light in sunlight. Food supplies a smaller amount.
2
What is the main function of vitamin D?
Model answer
Vitamin D increases the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the small intestine. Vitamin D therefore helps to mineralise and maintain bones and teeth.
3
How does vitamin D help to regulate the level of calcium in the blood?
Model answer
Vitamin D is converted in the liver and then the kidneys into its active hormone form, calcitriol. Calcitriol raises blood calcium by increasing absorption from the gut and reabsorption in the kidneys.
4
Name valuable food sources of vitamin D.
Model answer
Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and herring are the richest natural sources. Eggs, red meat, fortified breakfast cereals and fortified fat spreads supply smaller amounts.
5
Why is it difficult to meet vitamin D needs from food alone?
Model answer
Vitamin D occurs naturally in only a small range of foods, mainly oily fish and eggs. Diet alone therefore rarely provides the recommended intake.
6
What is the UK recommended intake of vitamin D, and which body set it?
Model answer
Everyone over one year old needs 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day. The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) set this recommendation in 2016.

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