NAHP Exam NRCMA Topic 2 Question 19 Discussion

Vitamin D is essential for the body's ability to absorb calcium from the diet. It promotes the absorption of calcium in the gut and maintains adequate serum calcium and phosphate concentrations to enable normal mineralization of bone. Without sufficient vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen. Vitamin D is obtained from exposure to sunlight, dietary sources (such as fatty fish, fortified dairy products, and eggs), and supplements. It is converted in the skin to its active form, calcitriol, which facilitates calcium absorption in the intestines.