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Table of Contents
In this week’s podcast, we dive into the relationship between immunity and vitamin D in kids.
What is Vitamin D?
We discussed the two main types of vitamin D.
There are two types of vitamin D:
vitamin D3, the animal source also known as cholecalciferol
vitamin D2, obtained from plant sterol, also known as ergocalciferol
How does the body make ‘active’ vitamin D?
When skin is exposed to sunlight, it triggers the production of provitamin D which is then further activated by the liver and finally the liver to the active form of vitamin D which has a role in maintaining levels of calcium and phosphorus in the body.
Vitamin D also has a role in immunity. Plant-based source of vitamin D may not be as effective at raising blood levels of vitamin D.
How does vitamin D help immunity?
In summary immune cells in the body also contain receptors needed for cells to be able to use and activate vitamin D, suggesting it has a role in immunity.
How much vitamin D do babies need?
This will vary from 8.5-10 ug per day. More detail in the blog post: