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cholecalciferol

chemical compound
Also known as: vitamin D3

Quick Summary

Cholecalciferol, also known as vitamin D3, is a sterol compound crucial for calcium metabolism in animals. It is naturally found in sources like fish, egg yolks, and fish-liver oils. The human body also produces cholecalciferol when the skin is exposed to sunlight or ultraviolet radiation.12

Cholecalciferol is a precursor to potent metabolites, acting as a prohormone. It is converted in the liver to calcidiol, and then in the kidneys to calcitriol, the most active form of vitamin D. Vitamin D3 is essential for bone health, and deficiency can lead to rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.2

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  1. cholecalciferol
  2. vitamin D

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