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skos:definition |
MSH: A vitamin that includes both CHOLECALCIFEROLS and ERGOCALCIFEROLS, which have the common effect of preventing or curing RICKETS in animals. It can also be viewed as a hormone since it can be formed in SKIN by action of ULTRAVIOLET RAYS upon the precursors, 7-dehydrocholesterol and ERGOSTEROL, and acts on VITAMIN D RECEPTORS to regulate CALCIUM in opposition to PARATHYROID HORMONE.,MEDLINEPLUS: <p>Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, which your bones need to grow. A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone diseases such as <a href='http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/osteoporosis.html'>osteoporosis</a> or <a href='http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/rickets.html'>rickets</a>. Vitamin D also has a role in your nerve, muscle, and immune systems.</p> <p>You can get vitamin D in three ways: through your skin, from your diet, and from supplements. Your body forms Vitamin D naturally after exposure to sunlight. However, too much sun exposure can lead to skin aging and skin cancer. So many people try to get their v
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