cholecalciferol
Definition
Noun 1. A form of vitamin D: Cholecalciferol is a specific, naturally occurring form of vitamin D (vitamin D3). It is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for the body's absorption of calcium and phosphorus, which are critical for maintaining strong bones and teeth. It prevents rickets, a disease of bone softening in children.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Sunlight on the skin is the primary natural source of cholecalciferol.
- A deficiency in cholecalciferol can lead to weakened bones.
- This supplement contains cholecalciferol to support bone health.
Advanced Usage
- Biochemical Context: In scientific and medical contexts, cholecalciferol is distinguished from other forms of vitamin D, such as ergocalciferol (vitamin D2). It is the form produced by the skin in response to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight.
- Metabolic Activation: Cholecalciferol itself is biologically inactive. It must undergo two hydroxylation reactions in the body—first in the liver and then in the kidneys—to become the active hormone calcitriol.
Variants and Related Words
- Vitamin D3: This is the common name for cholecalciferol, often used interchangeably in nutritional and supplement contexts.
- Ergocalciferol (noun): Vitamin D2, a different form of vitamin D obtained from plant sources and fungal ergosterol.
- Calcitriol (noun): The active, hormonal form of vitamin D produced from cholecalciferol within the body.
Synonyms
- Vitamin D3
- (In general health contexts) Vitamin D
Related Compounds and Phrases
- Dietary cholecalciferol: Refers to cholecalciferol obtained from food sources, such as fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified dairy products.
- Cholecalciferol synthesis: The process by which the body produces cholecalciferol from 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin upon exposure to sunlight.
Noun
-
a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents rickets
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