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Vitamin D3
• Natural
o Vitamin D3 is found naturally in fish and fish-liver oils.
• Synthetic
o Dairy House uses synthetic Vitamin D3 in its purest form, called Vitamin D3 crystalline. It is made from cholesterol, which is obtained from lamb’s wool grease. The cholesterol is chemically converted to 7-dehydro-cholesterol and then 7-dehydro-cholesterol is irradiated with ultraviolet light to form Vitamin D3 resin. The resin is now purified and converted to a crystalline form, which is used in production of the vitamin blends used by the dairy industry.
Vitamin D3 is the most stable form, however it is susceptible to oxidation, but to a much lesser way than Vitamin A.
History of Vitamin D Deficiency
The first description of Rickets was given in 1645. Its association with lack of sunlight was suggested in 1890; in 1919, cure by ultraviolet light was discussed. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) derived by ultraviolet irradiation occurs in human skin and is found in liver oils. It occurs as colorless crystals. Although Vitamin D is present in many vegetables, the only rich sources are the liver and the viscera of fish.
A normal adult probably obtains adequate amounts of Vitamin D3 by simple exposure to sunlight. The body can synthesize the provitamin D3, which is then activated in the skin by exposure to ultraviolet light.
During childhood, a deficiency in Vitamin D leads to the development of Rickets. In adulthood, the deficiency is called Osteomalacia. Deformity of the bones and fractures after minor traumas are common for the elderly.
It should be noted that high doses of Vitamin D are toxic and can result in the permanent deposit of minerals in the heart, lungs and kidneys.
• Description of Vitamin D3 Production
1. Starting material is lanolin from Australian and/or New Zealand living sheep’s wool.
2. Wool is washed to remove water-soluble material.
3. Lanolin is extracted by solvents and purified by distillation.
4. Sodium hydroxide treatment converts the lanolin to cholesterol.
5. Further chemical treatment yields dehydrocholesterol.
6. This is exposed to additional chemical treatment and ultraviolet irradiation to produce Vitamin D3, Cholecalciferol.
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