What is vitamin d and what is its function

Vitamin D can help children's bone growth and development. Children should eat more foods containing vitamin D, but parents do not understand the concept of vitamin D and do not realize the help it can provide to their children. In fact, vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. Some vitamin D is contained in natural foods, and people's needs can be met through sufficient ultraviolet radiation.

1. Vitamin D is a steroid nutrient. The most important elements in this family are vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. If you ask what foods are rich in vitamin D, the answer is that vitamin D is mainly found in animal foods, and the amount of vitamin D in plant foods is very small.

2. The food richest in vitamin D is cod liver oil. In addition, dairy products, butter, cream, sardines, clams, squid, fresh fish, fin fish liver, flounder liver oil, and tuna liver oil are also rich in vitamin D. Vitamin D in food also varies with the seasons. When there is plenty of sunshine in the summer, the vitamin D content in eggs, cow's and goat's milk is higher than in the winter due to the sunlight.

3. In addition to being found in food, vitamin D can also be obtained through sunlight. Dehydrocholesterol in human skin will form vitamin D3 when exposed to ultraviolet rays from sunlight. This is the most convenient and economical way to get vitamin D. This is why people usually encourage children and the elderly to do more outdoor activities in winter.

4. Vitamin D can promote the digestion and absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the small intestine, and is an essential nutrient for regulating calcium and phosphorus metabolism. In addition, vitamin D is an essential nutrient for promoting the normal development of teeth and bones. For young children, if they lack vitamin D, they may develop rickets; for adults, vitamin D deficiency can lead to bone softening; for the elderly, if they lack vitamin D, they will suffer from osteoporosis and are prone to fractures.