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No strong bones without vitamin D!
Together with its sister product, calcium, vitamin D –also known as calciferol– is essential for growth and then for maintenance of our bone mass. It is in fact behind the process which enables calcium to become attached to our bones. How?
Long before it reaches the bones, the calcium must be absorbed by the small intestine. At this stage, vitamin D plays a vital role. It increases the intestinal absorption of the calcium via the tiny blood vessels located on the wall of the small intestine.
The calcium then penetrates the blood circulation before reaching the liver where it becomes directly usable by the body. By the bones, in particular, which is the main place where calcium is stored. Finally, the more calcium absorption by the intestine is increased by vitamin D, the greater the amount of calcium made available to the body – the bones in particular.
Conversely, where there is a shortage of vitamin D, the body suffers from defective absorption of the calcium. The bone is then forced to release some, impoverishing the skeleton and paving the way for rickets in children, and for osteomalacia or osteoporosis later in life. Food alone is not enough to meet our vitamin D requirements. We need sunshine and a balanced diet, and very often food supplements. Especially in the early and late stages of life.
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