Properties of vitamin D

Vitamin D also known as calciferol or activated ergosterol is fat soluble. It is different from all other fat soluble vitamins, in that the body can synthesize it with the help of sunlight, from a precursor that the body makes from cholesterol.

This vitamin is necessary for normal tooth and bone formation. The active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D or calcitriol, also regulates the transcription of a number of vitamin D-dependent genes coding for calcium transporting proteins and bone matrix proteins.

Recent studies show that vitamin D status is positively correlated with health conditions such as cancer, immunity disorders, diabetes, muscle disorders and cardiovascular disease.

Deficiencies in vitamin D result in rickets (deformities of bones, such as bow-legs and curvature of the spine) and teeth defects. Fish oils, and especially fish liver oils, are excellent sources of vitamin D. The intake of foods fortified with vitamin D such as milk, cereals and orange juice can increase vitamin D in the diet.

The human body also able to synthesize this vitamin form components of the skin exposure to ultraviolet light or sunlight. Vitamin D is routinely added to milk.
Properties of vitamin D

Vitamin K Deficiencies

Vitamin K acts as a cofactor for the addition do carboxyl groups on glutamic acid residues of the vitamin K-dependent clotting proteins.

Vitamin K deficiency is common among neonates in the first few days postpartum due to poor placental transfer of vitamin K and inadequate production of vitamin K producing intestinal flora.

Vitamin K deficiency is seen in a patient with malabsorption syndromes, such as pancreatitis, short bowel syndrome, sprue or small bowel states of bacterial overgrowth such as sometimes accompany use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Most patients with mild to moderate degrees of vitamin K deficiency do not have bleeding problems unless they undergo surgery or sustain trauma.

Vitamin K deficiency seldom results from insufficient dietary intake of this vitamin.

Dietary deficiencies of vitamin K can be easily replenished with daily oral supplementation of 5 to 10 mg. However, in a patients with malabsorption syndromes, the subcutaneous route to be considered.

The cardinal sign of vitamin deficiency is an abnormal bleeding tendency, accompanied by prolonged prothrombin time; these signs disappear with vitamin K administration.
Vitamin K Deficiencies