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The importance of vitamin D and calcium in the human diet
Bártová, Magdaléna ; Hejtmánková, Alena (advisor) ; Michlová, Tereza (referee)
Vitamin D refers to a group of fat soluble steroids. The most important forms are
cholecalciferol occurring in foods of the animal origin and ergocalciferol of the plant origin. Human
accept them in the diet; the fatty fishes, fish liver, and some other foods like milk, eggs or yeasts are
rich resources of vitamin D. Unlike the other vitamins, the synthesis of vitamin D can also take place
in the living body. Cholecalciferol is formed in the skin from its precursor 7 - dehydrocholesterol by
the effect of UVB radiation. The conversion efficiency depends on various factors.
Two successive reaction steps are necessary for the activation of vitamin D. The first step of
hydroxylation occurs in the liver to be formed calcidiol. Calcidiol is the principal form of vitamin D in
the blood acting also as the indicator of body supplies. The second one takes place in the kidneys
where calcidiol is transformed to calcitriol. Calcitriol is assumed as the active hormonal form of
vitamin D binding to the receptor for vitamin D - VDR. The best known and the most explored
function is the effect of vitamin D on the calcium and phosphorus homeostasis. Consequently, vitamin
D also influences the proper functions of muscles and the immune system. It reduces the risk of the
cancer and cardiovascular diseases by various mechanisms as well. However, there are assumed
another effects of vitamin D on the human body, which are not fully yet understood and are the subject
for further research.
Calcium constitutes the major mineral component of bones and teeth. It is an essential nutrient
and therefore it is necessary to supply it with food. Its content in foods is various as well as its
usability from these. The major resources of calcium are milk and dairy products. Calcium is also
present in eggs, mineral waters, certain fishes and food of plant origin. Especially, the plant resources
usability of calcium is limited because of the insolubility of some calcium complexes. Calcium is
essential for the composition structure of bones and teeth. Besides of structural function, it has a main
role in the blood coagulation, neuromuscular transmission or muscle contraction.
Vitamin D has an influence on the usability of calcium because of the efficiency increase of
calcium absorption in the intestine. The lack of both micronutrients leads to skeletal diseases -
osteoporosis, osteomalacia and rickets. The adequate intake of both essential part of food, vitamin D
and calcium, is important especially for the growing children, elderly people, and pregnant and
lactating women.
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