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CHOLECALCIFEROL

CHOLECALCIFEROL

CAS: 67-97-0
European Community (EC) Number: 215-797-2
Molecular Formula: C27H44O
Molecular Weight: 384.6
IUPAC Name: (1S,3Z)-3-[(2E)-2-[(1R,3aS,7aR)-7a-methyl-1-[(2R)-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-2,3,3a,5,6,7-hexahydro-1H-inden-4-ylidene]ethylidene]-4-methylidenecyclohexan-1-ol

Melting Point: 183 to 185 °F
Vapor Pressure: 2.4X10-9 mm Hg at 25 °C (est)
Physical Description: Vitamin d3 appears as fine colorless crystals. 
Vitamin d3 emulsifiable is a cream colored powder. 
Insoluble in water.

Cholecalciferol is a steroid hormone produced in the skin when exposed to ultraviolet light or obtained from dietary sources. 
The active form of cholecalciferol, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (calcitriol) plays an important role in maintaining blood calcium and phosphorus levels and mineralization of bone. 
The activated form of cholecalciferol binds to vitamin D receptors and modulates gene expression. 
This leads to an increase in serum calcium concentrations by increasing intestinal absorption of phosphorus and calcium, promoting distal renal tubular reabsorption of calcium and increasing osteoclastic resorption.


Vitamin D, in general, is a secosteroid generated in the skin when 7-dehydrocholesterol located there interacts with ultraviolet irradiation - like that commonly found in sunlight. 
Both the endogenous form of vitamin D (that results from 7-dehydrocholesterol transformation), vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), and the plant-derived form, vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), are considered the main forms of vitamin d and are found in various types of food for daily intake. 
Structurally, ergocalciferol differs from cholecalciferol in that it possesses a double bond between C22 and C23 and has an additional methyl group at C24. 
Finally, ergocalciferol is pharmacologically less potent than cholecalciferol, which makes vitamin D3 the preferred agent for medical use. 
Appropriate levels of vitamin D must be upheld in the body in order to maintain calcium and phosphorus levels in a healthy physiologic range to sustain a variety of metabolic functions, transcription regulation, and bone metabolism. 
However, studies are also ongoing to determine whether or not cholecalciferol may also play certain roles in cancer, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease, and other medical conditions that may be associated with vitamin D deficiency.


Cholecalciferol is a hydroxy seco-steroid that is (5Z,7E)-9,10-secocholesta-5,7,10(19)-triene in which the pro-S hydrogen at position 3 has been replaced by a hydroxy group. 
Cholecalciferol is the inactive form of vitamin D3, being hydroxylated in the liver to calcidiol (25-hydroxyvitamin D3), which is then further hydroxylated in the kidney to give calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3), the active hormone. 
Cholecalciferol has a role as a human metabolite and a geroprotector. 
Cholecalciferol is a seco-cholestane, a hydroxy seco-steroid, a member of D3 vitamins, a secondary alcohol and a steroid hormone.


Cholecalciferol acts as a hormone precursor since it requires two stages of metabolism: first to 25-hydroxycholecalciferol; then to 1α, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. 
One unit (U.S.P. or international) is defined as the activity of 0.025 μg of vitamin D3 contained in the USP vitamin D reference standard.
Cholecalciferol is sourced either through the diet or exposing skin to ultraviolet rays. 
Oral administration of vitamin D3 is readily absorbed and is stored in adipose tissue.


Deficiency of vitamin D is often observed in chronic kidney disease.
Vitamin D acts through a receptor that is a member of the ligand-dependent transcription factor superfamily. 
Modulates the proliferation and differentiation of both normal and cancer cells. 
Cholecalciferol has antiproliferative and antimetastatic effects on breast, colon, and prostate cancer cells. 
Activated vitamin D receptors in intestine and bone maintain calcium absorbance and homeostasis.


Cholecalciferol is vitamin D3 supplement which is a dietary supplement that is prescribed for vitamin D deficiency. 
Cholecalciferol is consumed by dissolving in milk or water or as prescribed by physician on regular basis. 
This granular formulation is known to prevent chances of rickets & bone disorders with ability to maintain normal blood calcium level. 
Cholecalciferol is also admired for increasing absorption of dietary calcium by body. 
This supplement is considered to be highly effective in familial hypophosphatemia and hypoparathyroidism. 
Cholecalciferol has chemical formula C24H44O with molar mass of 384.64 and is considered to be safe during pregnancy in normal doses.


Colecalciferol is a vitamin D supplement. 
Cholecalciferol is prescribed if you have low vitamin D levels. 
Vitamin D is important for the absorption of calcium from your stomach and for the functioning of calcium in your body. 

A mild lack of vitamin D may not cause symptoms, but it can cause general aches and pains. 
An ongoing lack of vitamin D can increase your risk of weak, brittle bones and osteoporosis.
Colecalciferol works by helping your body absorb more calcium from your diet. 


Cholecalciferol, also known as vitamin D3 and colecalciferol, is a type of vitamin D which is made by the skin, found in some foods, and taken as a dietary supplement.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient that is found naturally in only a few foods. 
Though Vitamin D can be difficult to find in nature, it is often added to food products to increase their nutrition value. 
Vitamin D is also available as a dietary supplement or pill.


Cholecalciferol, also known as vitamin D3 and colecalciferol, is a type of vitamin D which is made by the skin when exposed to sunlight; it is also found in some foods and can be taken as a dietary supplement.

Cholecalciferol is made in the skin following UVB light exposure.
Cholecalciferol is converted in the liver to calcifediol (25-hydroxyvitamin D) which is then converted in the kidney to calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D). 
One of Cholecalciferols actions is to increase the uptake of calcium by the intestines.
Cholecalciferol is found in food such as some fish, beef liver, eggs, and cheese.
Certain foods such as milk, fruit juice, yogurt, and margarine also may have cholecalciferol added to them in some countries including the United States.

Cholecalciferol can be taken as an oral dietary supplement to prevent vitamin D deficiency or as a medication to treat associated diseases, including rickets.
Cholecalciferol is also used for familial hypophosphatemia, hypoparathyroidism that is causing low blood calcium, and Fanconi syndrome.
Vitamin-D supplements may not be effective in people with severe kidney disease.
Excessive doses in humans can result in vomiting, constipation, weakness, and confusion.
Other risks include kidney stones.
Doses greater than 40,000 IU (1,000 μg) per day are generally required before high blood calcium occurs.
Normal doses, 800–2000 IU per day, are safe in pregnancy.

Cholecalciferol was first described in 1936.
Cholecalciferol is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.
In 2019, Cholecalciferol was the 84th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 9 million prescriptions.


Cholecalciferol is a form of vitamin D which is naturally synthesized in skin and functions as a pro-hormone, being converted to calcitriol. 
This is important for maintaining calcium levels and promoting bone health and development.
As a medication, cholecalciferol may be taken as a dietary supplement to prevent or to treat vitamin D deficiency. 
One gram is 40,000,000 (40x106) IU, equivalently 1 IU is 0.025 µg. 
Dietary reference intake values for vitamin D (cholecalciferol and/or ergocalciferol) have been established and recommendations vary depending on the country:

In the US: 15 µg/d (600 IU per day) for all individuals (males, females, pregnant/lactating women) between the ages of 1 and 70 years old, inclusive. 
For all individuals older than 70 years, 20 µg/d (800 IU per day) is recommended.
In the EU: 20 µg/d (800 IU per day)
In France: 25 µg/d (1000 IU per day)
Low levels of vitamin D are more commonly found in individuals living in northern latitudes, or with other reasons for a lack of regular sun exposure, including being housebound, frail, elderly, obese, having darker skin, or wearing clothes that cover most of the skin.
Supplements are recommended for these groups of people.

The Institute of Medicine in 2010 recommended a maximum uptake of vitamin D of 4,000 IU/day, finding that the dose for lowest observed adverse effect level is 40,000 IU daily for at least 12 weeks, and that there was a single case of toxicity above 10,000 IU after more than 7 years of daily intake; this case of toxicity occurred in circumstances that have led other researchers to dispute it as a credible case to consider when making vitamin D intake recommendations.
Patients with severe vitamin D deficiency will require treatment with a loading dose; its magnitude can be calculated based on the actual serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D level and body weight.


By itself cholecalciferol is inactive. 
Cholecalciferol is converted to its active form by two hydroxylations: the first in the liver, by CYP2R1 or CYP27A1, to form 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (calcifediol, 25-OH vitamin D3). 
The second hydroxylation occurs mainly in the kidney through the action of CYP27B1 to convert 25-OH vitamin D3 into 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (calcitriol, 1,25-(OH)2vitamin D3). 
All these metabolites are bound in blood to the vitamin D-binding protein. 
The action of calcitriol is mediated by the vitamin D receptor, a nuclear receptor which regulates the synthesis of hundreds of proteins and is present in virtually every cell in the body.


7-Dehydrocholesterol is the precursor of cholecalciferol.
Within the epidermal layer of skin, 7-dehydrocholesterol undergoes an electrocyclic reaction as a result of UVB light at wavelengths between 290 and 315 nm, with peak synthesis occurring between 295 and 300 nm.
This results in the opening of the vitamin precursor B-ring through a conrotatory pathway making previtamin D3 (pre-cholecalciferol).
In a process which is independent of UV light, the pre-cholecalciferol then undergoes a antarafacial sigmatropic rearrangement and therein finally isomerizes to form vitamin D3.

The active UVB wavelengths are present in sunlight, and sufficient amounts of cholecalciferol can be produced with moderate exposure of the skin, depending on the strength of the sun.
Time of day, season, and altitude affect the strength of the sun, and pollution, cloud cover or glass all reduce the amount of UVB exposure. 
Exposure of face, arms and legs, averaging 5–30 minutes twice per week, may be sufficient, but the darker the skin, and the weaker the sunlight, the more minutes of exposure are needed. 
Vitamin D overdose is impossible from UV exposure; the skin reaches an equilibrium where the vitamin degrades as fast as it is created.

Cholecalciferol can be produced in skin from the light emitted by the UV lamps in tanning beds, which produce ultraviolet primarily in the UVA spectrum, but typically produce 4% to 10% of the total UV emissions as UVB. 
Levels in blood are higher in frequent uses of tanning salons.

Whether cholecalciferol and all forms of vitamin D are by definition "vitamins" can be disputed, since the definition of vitamins includes that the substance cannot be synthesized by the body and must be ingested. 
Cholecalciferol is synthesized by the body during UVB radiation exposure.

The three steps in the synthesis and activation of vitamin D3 are regulated as follows:

Cholecalciferol is synthesized in the skin from 7-dehydrocholesterol under the action of ultraviolet B (UVB) light. 
Cholecalciferol reaches an equilibrium after several minutes depending on the intensity of the UVB in the sunlight - determined by latitude, season, cloud cover, and altitude - and the age and degree of pigmentation of the skin.
Hydroxylation in the endoplasmic reticulum of liver hepatocytes of cholecalciferol to calcifediol (25-hydroxycholecalciferol) by 25-hydroxylase is loosely regulated, if at all, and blood levels of this molecule largely reflect the amount of cholecalciferol produced in the skin combined with any vitamin D2 or D3 ingested.
Hydroxylation in the kidneys of calcifediol to calcitriol by 1-alpha-hydroxylase is tightly regulated: it is stimulated by parathyroid hormone and serves as the major control point in the production of the active circulating hormone calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3).


Vitamin D (ergocalciferol-D2, cholecalciferol-D3, alfacalcidol) is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus. 
Having the right amount of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus is important for building and keeping strong bones. 
Vitamin D is used to treat and prevent bone disorders (such as rickets, osteomalacia).
Vitamin D is made by the body when skin is exposed to sunlight. 
Sunscreen, protective clothing, limited exposure to sunlight, dark skin, and age may prevent getting enough vitamin D from the sun.
Vitamin D with calcium is used to treat or prevent bone loss (osteoporosis). 
Vitamin D is also used with other medications to treat low levels of calcium or phosphate caused by certain disorders (such as hypoparathyroidism, pseudohypoparathyroidism, familial hypophosphatemia). 
Cholecalciferol may be used in kidney disease to keep calcium levels normal and allow normal bone growth. 
Vitamin D drops (or other supplements) are given to breast-fed infants because breast milk usually has low levels of vitamin D.


Cholecalciferol is vitamin D3. 
Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium.

Cholecalciferol is used as a dietary supplement in people who do not get enough vitamin D in their diets to maintain adequate health.


Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is used as a dietary supplement when the amount of vitamin D in the diet is not enough. 
People most at risk for vitamin D deficiency are older adults, breastfed infants, people with dark skin, obese people, and those with limited sun exposure, or gastrointestinal disease (GI; affecting the stomach or intestines) such as Crohn's disease or celiac disease. 
Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is also used along with calcium to prevent and treat bone diseases such as rickets (softening and weakening of bones in children caused by lack of vitamin D), osteomalacia (softening and weakening of bones in adults caused by lack of vitamin D), and osteoporosis (a condition in which the bones become thin and weak and break easily). 
Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is in a class of medications called vitamin D analogs. 
Cholecalciferol is needed by the body for healthy bones, muscles, nerves, and to support the immune system. 
Cholecalciferol works by helping the body to use more of the calcium found in foods or supplements.

Vitamin D3, also known as cholecalciferol, is a supplement that helps your body absorb calcium.

Cholecalciferol’s typically used to treat people who have a vitamin D deficiency or related disorder, such as rickets or osteomalacia.

Some individuals who might need extra vitamin D include:

Older adults
Breastfed babies
People with darker skin
Obese individuals (or those who’ve had gastric bypass surgery)
People with conditions such as cystic fibrosis, Crohn’s disease, or liver disease
Vitamin D3 may be used with different supplements or medicines to treat or prevent other conditions.

Vitamin D, in general, is a secosteroid generated in the skin when 7-dehydrocholesterol located there interacts with ultraviolet irradiation - like that commonly found in sunlight 9. Both the endogenous form of vitamin D (that results from 7-dehydrocholesterol transformation), vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), and the plant-derived form, vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), are considered the main forms of vitamin d and are found in various types of food for daily intake. 
Structurally, ergocalciferol differs from cholecalciferol in that it possesses a double bond between C22 and C23 and has an additional methyl group at C24.
Finally, ergocalciferol is pharmacologically less potent than cholecalciferol, which makes vitamin D3 the preferred agent for medical use .

Appropriate levels of vitamin D must be upheld in the body in order to maintain calcium and phosphorus levels in a healthy physiologic range to sustain a variety of metabolic functions, transcription regulation, and bone metabolism. 
However, studies are also ongoing to determine whether or not cholecalciferol may also play certain roles in cancer, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease, and other medical conditions that may be associated with vitamin D deficiency.


Cholecalciferol use is indicated for the treatment of specific medical conditions like refractory rickets (or vitamin D resistant rickets), hypoparathyroidism, and familial hypophosphatemia 12,13.

Concurrently, as one of the most commonly utilized forms of vitamin D, cholecalciferol is also very frequently used as a supplement in individuals to maintain sufficient vitamin d levels in the body or to treat vitamin D deficiency, as well as various medical conditions that can be associated directly or indirectly with vitamin d insufficiency like osteoporosis and chronic kidney disease, among others.

Most individuals naturally generate adequate amounts of vitamin D through ordinary dietary intake of vitamin D (in some foods like eggs, fish, and cheese) and natural photochemical conversion of the vitamin D3 precursor 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin via exposure to sunlight.

Conversely, vitamin D deficiency can often occur from a combination of insufficient exposure to sunlight, inadequate dietary intake of vitamin D, genetic defects with endogenous vitamin D receptor, or even severe liver or kidney disease. 
Such deficiency is known for resulting in conditions like rickets or osteomalacia, all of which reflect inadequate mineralization of bone, enhanced compensatory skeletal demineralization, resultant decreased calcium ion blood concentrations, and increases in the production and secretion of parathyroid hormone. 
Increases in parathyroid hormone stimulate the mobilization of skeletal calcium and the renal excretion of phosphorus. 
This enhanced mobilization of skeletal calcium leads towards porotic bone conditions.

Ordinarily, while vitamin D3 is made naturally via photochemical processes in the skin, both itself and vitamin D2 can be found in various food and pharmaceutical sources as dietary supplements. 
The principal biological function of vitamin D is the maintenance of normal levels of serum calcium and phosphorus in the bloodstream by enhancing the efficacy of the small intestine to absorb these minerals from the diet. 
At the liver, vitamin D3 or D2 is hydroxylated to 25-hydroxyvitamin D and then finally to the primary active metabolite, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in the kidney via further hydroxylation. 
This final metabolite binds to endogenous vitamin d receptors, which results in a variety of regulatory roles - including maintaining calcium balance, the regulation of parathyroid hormone, the promotion of the renal reabsorption of calcium, increased intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus, and increased calcium and phosphorus mobilization of calcium and phosphorus from bone to plasma to maintain balanced levels of each in bone and the plasma.

In particular, calcitriol interacts with vitamin D receptors in the small intestine to enhance the efficiency of intestinal calcium and phosphorous absorption from about 10-15% to 30-40% and 60% increased to 80%, respectively. 
Furthermore, calcitriol binds with vitamin D receptors in osteoblasts to stimulate a receptor activator of nuclear factor kB ligand (or RANKL) which subsequently interacts with receptor activator of nuclear factor kB (NFkB) on immature preosteoclasts, causing them to become mature bone-resorbing osteoclasts. 
Such mature osteoclasts ultimately function in removing calcium and phosphorus from bone to maintain blood calcium and phosphorus levels. 
Moreover, calcitriol also stimulates calcium reabsorption from the glomerular filtrate in the kidneys.

Additionally, it is believed that when calcitriol binds with nuclear vitamin D receptors, that this bound complex itself binds to retinoic acid X receptor (RXR) to generate a heterodimeric complex that consequently binds to specific nucleotide sequences in the DNA called vitamin D response elements. 
When bound, various transcription factors attach to this complex, resulting in either up or down-regulation of the associated gene's activity. 
It is thought that there may be as much as 200 to 2000 genes that possess vitamin D response elements or that are influenced indirectly to control a multitude of genes across the genome. 
It is in this way that cholecalciferol is believed to function in regulating gene transcription associated with cancer risk, autoimmune disorders, and cardiovascular disease linked to vitamin D deficiency. 
In fact, there has been some research to suggest calcitriol may also be able to prevent malignancies by inducing cellular maturation and inducing apoptosis and inhibiting angiogenesis, exhibit anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting foam cell formation and promoting angiogenesis in endothelial colony-forming cells in vitro, inhibit immune reactions by enhancing the transcription of endogenous antibiotics like cathelicidin and regulate the activity and differentiation of CD4+ T cells, amongst a variety of other proposed actions.

Cholecalciferol is readily absorbed from the small intestine if fat absorption is normal. 
Moreover, bile is necessary for absorption as well.

In particular, recent studies have determined aspects about the absorption of vitamin D, like the fact that 
a) the 25-hydroxyvitamin D metabolite of cholecalciferol is absorbed to a greater extent than the nonhydroxy form of cholecalciferol, 
b) the quantity of fat with which cholecalciferol is ingested does not appear to largely affect its bioavailability, and 
c) age does not apparently effect vitamin D cholecalciferol.

The protein binding documented for cholecalciferol is 50 to 80%. 
Specifically, in the plasma, vitamin D3 (from either diet or the skin) is bound to vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) produced in the liver, for transport to the liver. 
Ultimately, the form of vitamin D3 reaching the liver is 25-hydroxylated, and such 25-hydroxycholecalciferol is bound to DBP (α2-globulin) whilst circulating in the plasma.

Within the liver, cholecalciferol is hydroxylated to calcifediol (25-hydroxycholecalciferol) by the enzyme vitamin D-25-hydroxylase. 
At the kidney, calcifediol subsequently serves as a substrate for 1-alpha-hydroxylase, yielding calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol), the biologically active form of vitamin D3.


Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is the common form of vitamin D synthesized in animals, and the equivalent form in plants is ergocalciferol (vitamin D2). 
Cholecalciferol is produced from provitamin D in human skin, on exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. 
Due to avoidance of sunlight because of skin cancer concerns, vitamin D deficiency has become common in recent times, and dietary intake has become important. 
The best natural sources of vitamin D are fish liver oils, and fortification of food with vitamin D is a common practice. 
Vitamin D is commonly determined using immunoassays or liquid chromatography with UV or mass spectrometric detection.


Cholecalciferol acts as a hormone precursor since it requires two stages of metabolism: first to 25-hydroxycholecalciferol; then to 1α, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. 
One unit (U.S.P. or international) is defined as the activity of 0.025 μg of vitamin D3 contained in the USP vitamin D reference standard.
Cholecalciferol is sourced either through the diet or exposing skin to ultraviolet rays. 
Oral administration of vitamin D3 is readily absorbed and is stored in adipose tissue.


Deficiency of vitamin D is often observed in chronic kidney disease.
Vitamin D acts through a receptor that is a member of the ligand-dependent transcription factor superfamily. 
Modulates the proliferation and differentiation of both normal and cancer cells. 
Has antiproliferative and antimetastatic effects on breast, colon, and prostate cancer cells. 
Activated vitamin D receptors in intestine and bone maintain calcium absorbance and homeostasis.


Cholecalciferol is the chemical name of vitamin D3.
One international unit (IU) of vitamin D3 is equivalent to 0.025 μg of cholecalciferol.
Vitamin D3 is acquired for nutritive purposes through normal dietary intake or dermal exposure to ultraviolet light. 
Daily nutritional requirements of vitamin D3 (which can also be met by vitamin D2, ergocalciferol, for most species).


Cholecalciferol is a form of vitamin D, also called vitamin D3, that is commonly used as rodenticide. 
Vitamin D3 is a secosteroid, and structurally similar to other steroids, such as cholesterol, testosterone, and cortisol. 
Cholecalciferol has chemical formula C27H44O, with a molecular weight of 384.64. 


A steroid hormone produced in the skin when exposed to ultraviolet light or obtained from dietary sources. 
The active form of cholecalciferol, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (calcitriol) plays an important role in maintaining blood calcium and phosphorus levels and mineralization of bone. 
The activated form of cholecalciferol binds to vitamin D receptors and modulates gene expression. 
This leads to an increase in serum calcium concentrations by increasing intestinal absorption of phosphorus and calcium, promoting distal renal tubular reabsorption of calcium and increasing osteoclastic resorption.


Uses of Vitamin D3 / Cholecalciferol
-For treatment and prevention of Vitamin D and calcium deficiency.
-As an adjuvant for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis and bone disorders.
-As a supplement when Vitamin D requirement of body is high such as in elderly, after surgery and in growing children.


Cholecalciferol is an important chemical for both researchers and consumers. 
Cholecalciferol has a number of uses as Vitamin D3 in the production and creation of health supplements, as well as bone regrowth research and rodent pesticides.


Cholecalciferol is naturally created in animal tissue. 
Ultraviolet-B radiation from sunlight begins the production of cholecalciferol by stimulating epidermal 7-dehydrocholesterol. 
Cholecalciferol is structurally similar to steroids like testosterone, cortisol and cholesterol, despite being a secosteroid. 

Written chemically as C27H44O or (3S,5Z,7E)-9,10-Secocholesta-5,7,10-trien-3-ol, cholecalciferol is also known as calciol or Vitamin D3. 
When not being created by mammals, cholecalciferol is a solid resin that can be mixed in a number of ways. 
As a vitamin, Cholecalciferol is often in a gel capsule form, being soluble in water, vegetable oils and organic solvents. 
Cholecalciferol has a molecular weight of 384.62 and a melting point between 84 and 85 degrees C. 


Cholecalciferol is most commonly used by consumers and medical researchers for bone and overall health. 

Regular consumers take Vitamin D3 as a supplement to help increase calcium absorption and function within the body. 
People who take this vitamin are often combating a Vitamin D deficiency and its negative health effects, particularly on the skin and bones. 


Vitamin D is essential for health. It plays a key role in maintaining bone health, the nervous system, and the immune system. 
People can get vitamin D from sun exposure, food, or supplements.

Vitamin D2 and D3 are the main forms of vitamin D and both perform the same role in the body. 
Scientists are not sure if one is better than the other, although some studies have found that D3 is more effective in raising vitamin D levels in the body than D2. 
Vitamin D2 comes from plants, while animals, including people, produce D3.

Few foods naturally contain vitamin D. 
Therefore, manufacturers may fortify foods with vitamin D, such as milks, juices, and cereals. 
Mushrooms are a good natural source of vitamin D2, while fatty fish are good source of vitamin D3.


Foods that are naturally high in vitamin D3 come from animal sources. 
These may includeTrusted Source:

Cod liver oil: One tablespoon contains 170% of an adult’s vitamin D recommended DV.
Trout: 3 ounces (oz) of cooked rainbow trout contains 81% of the vitamin D DV.
Salmon: 3 oz of cooked sockeye salmon contains 71% of the DV of vitamin D.
Other foods contain vitamin D3, but in smaller amounts. These may include:

Sardines: After draining the oil, 2 sardines from a can will provide 6% of an adult’s vitamin D DV.
Eggs: 1 large egg provides 6% of the adult DV.
Beef liver: 3 oz of braised beef liver contains 5% of an adult’s vitamin D DV.
Tuna: 3 oz of canned tuna will also provide 5% of the adult DV.
Cheese: 1 oz of cheddar cheese contains 2% of an adult’s DV of vitamin D.


Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) is much more potent and has a longer duration of action the ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2).
Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) is used to treat and prevent vitamin D deficiency and associated diseases, including rickets.

Fat-soluble vitamin, also called calciol or vitamin D3. 
Cholecalciferol is necessary for the body to absorb calcium and phosphate from the intestines and incorporate them into bones and teeth. 
If there is a lack of vitamin D3, the bones in children are softened and deformed (= rickets). 
In adults there is a risk of painful softening of the bones (= osteomalacia ) and accelerated osteoporosis(= Bone loss). 
Cholecalciferol is therefore essential for bone growth in childhood and for bone stability and tooth preservation in adulthood. 
Cholecalciferol is largely produced by the body itself and is only ingested in small amounts through food. 
Cholecalciferol is only found in a few foods, such as fatty fish such as salmon, herring and eel. 
In-house production is therefore all the more important. 
In order for the body to be able to produce cholecalciferol itself, however, it needs the sun, more precisely its UV-B rays. 
Only these can convert the inactive precursors into active cholecalciferol in the skin.


Cholecalciferol is the precursor of active vitamin D, which plays a central role in regulating calcium and phosphate metabolism. 
Cholecalciferol is mainly used to prevent and treat vitamin D deficiency and, in combination with calcium, to treat osteoporosis.
Vitamin D has other important functions in the body, for example for the immune system, muscle function and cell growth. 
Cholecalciferol is metabolized in the liver and kidneys to form the active ingredient calcitriol. 
The drugs are usually taken orally and, less often, intramuscularly. 
The usual dose is 400 to 800 IU, depending on age, although much higher doses are given therapeutically. 
Vitamin D3 can be taken daily, weekly, or monthly.


Cholecalciferol (C27H44O,M=384.6 g/mol) exists as white crystals that are practically insoluble in water and soluble in fatty oils and ethanol. 
The substance is sensitive to air, heat and light. 
Medium-chain triglycerides , for example, are used as solvents for the drugs. 
Cholecalciferol belongs to the group of secosteroids, which are derived from steroids.

SYNONYMS:

cholecalciferol

Vitamin D3

67-97-0

Calciol

Colecalciferol

Oleovitamin D3

Arachitol

Ricketon

Trivitan

Deparal

Vigorsan

Activated 7-dehydrocholesterol

Colecalcipherol

Delsterol

Ebivit

Quintox

Cholecalciferolum

(+)-Vitamin D3

D3-Vicotrat

D3-Vigantol

vitamin d-3

Vi-de-3-hydrosol

NEO Dohyfral D3

Vitinc Dan-Dee-3

Colecalciferolum

1406-16-2

Cholecalciferol, D3

Vi-De3

Duphafral D3 1000

FeraCol

MFCD00078131

CC

CHEBI:28940

(1S,3Z)-3-[(2E)-2-[(1R,3aS,7aR)-7a-methyl-1-[(2R)-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-2,3,3a,5,6,7-hexahydro-1H-inden-4-ylidene]ethylidene]-4-methylidenecyclohexan-1-ol

NSC 375571

9,10-Secocholesta-5,7,10(19)-trien-3-beta-ol

7-Dehydrocholesterol activated

Micro-dee

7-Dehydrocholesterol, Activated

VidDe-3-hydrosol

Vitamin D3 solution

NSC-375571

Colecalciferol (INN)

Colecalciferol [INN]

NCGC00159331-02

Rampage

(3beta,5Z,7E)-9,10-secocholesta-5,7,10(19)-trien-3-ol

(5Z,7E)-(3S)-9,10-seco-5,7,10(19)-cholestatrien-3-ol

(5Z,7E)-(3S)-9,10-secocholesta-5,7,10(19)-trien-3-ol

DSSTox_CID_6294

DSSTox_RID_78090

DSSTox_GSID_26294

Provitina

Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)

UNII-1C6V77QF41

22350-41-0

Vitamin D3, 99%, crystalline

9,10-Seco(5Z,7E)-5,7,10(19)-cholestatrien-3beta-ol

Colecalciferolo

(3S,5Z,7E)-9,10-secocholesta-5,7,10(19)-trien-3-ol

Colecalciferolo [DCIT]

9,10-Secocholesta-5(Z),7(E),10(19)-trien-3(.beta.)-ol

Vigantol Oil

(5e)-cholecalciferol

Colecalciferol D3

(1S,3Z)-3-[(2E)-2-[(1R,3aS,7aR)-1-[(1R)-1,5-dimethylhexyl]-7a-methyl-2,3,3a,5,6,7-hexahydro-1H-inden-4-ylidene]ethylidene]-4-methylene-cyclohexanol

(S,Z)-3-(2-((1R,3aS,7aR,E)-7a-methyl-1-((R)-6-methylheptan-2-yl)octahydro-4H-inden-4-ylidene)ethylidene)-4-methylenecyclohexan-1-ol

Cyclohexanol, 3-[(2E)-2-[(1R,3aS,7aR)-1-[(1R)-1,5-dimethylhexyl]octahydro-7a-methyl-4H-inden-4-ylidene]ethylidene]-4-methylene-, (1S,3Z)-

Colecalciferolum [INN-Latin]

Vitamin D 3

7-Dehydrocholestrol, activated

Irradiated 7-dehydrocholesterol

CCRIS 5813

CCRIS 6286

HSDB 820

7-Dehydrocholesterol, irradiated

Vitamin D3 emulsifiable

EINECS 200-673-2

EINECS 215-797-2

EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 202901

Vitamin D3; Cholecalciferol

1C6V77QF41

Devaron

Videkhol

NSC375571

Granuvit D3

Delta-D

DP-R206

CAS-67-97-0

Prestwick_63

Cholecalciferol D3

Cyclohexanol, 3-((2E)-2-((1R,3aS,7aR)-1-((1R)-1,5-dimethylhexyl)octahydro-7a-methyl-4H-inden-4-ylidene)ethylidene)-4-methylene-, (1S,3Z)-

Cholecalciferol [USP:BAN:JAN:ISO]

()-Vitamin D3

9,10-Seco(5Z,7E)-5,7,10(19)-cholestatrien-3-ol

Delta-D (TN)

9,10-Secocholesta-5,7,10(19)-trien-3-ol, (3beta,5Z,7E)-

Prestwick3_000429

bmse000507

UPCMLD-DP152

SCHEMBL3126

CHEMBL1042

BSPBio_000418

Cholecalciferol; 67-97-0

Cholecalciferol (JP17/USP)

BPBio1_000460

MEGxm0_000458

DTXSID6026294

UPCMLD-DP152:001

ACon1_001997

HMS2096E20

Vitamin d assay system suitability

Cholecalciferol, >=98% (HPLC)

9,10-Secocholestra-5,7,10(19)-trien-3-ol, (3beta,5Z,7E)-

Cholecalciferol, analytical standard

ZINC4474460

Tox21_111578

Tox21_202546

BDBM50030475

LMST03020001

s4063

AKOS015950641

AC-8884

CCG-268466

CS-1179

DB00169

SMP1_000068

AK R215 COMPONENT COLECALCIFEROL

AK-R215 COMPONENT COLECALCIFEROL

NCGC00091072-01

NCGC00159331-04

NCGC00260095-01

BS-42465

HY-15398

K119

Vitamin D3 10 microg/mL in Acetonitrile

9,10-secocholesta-5,7,10-trien-3-ol

Cholecalciferol (D3), analytical standard

3412-EP2314590A1

3412-EP2316832A1

3412-EP2316833A1

7058-EP2305662A1

C05443

D00188

86554-EP2270000A1

86554-EP2272827A1

86554-EP2289483A1

86554-EP2305640A2

86554-EP2305684A1

9,10-Secocholesta-5,7,10(19)-trien-3-ol

Cholecalciferol, meets USP testing specifications

078V131

9,10-Secocholesta-5,7,10(19)-trien-3?-ol

Q139347

(5E,7E)-9,10-Secocholesta-5,7,10-trien-3-ol

Q-201931

3-beta,Z,7E-9,10-Secocholestr-5,7,10(19)-trien-3-ol

Vitamin D3 solution, 100 mug/mL in ethanol, 97% (CP)

(3beta,Z,7E)-9,10-Secocholesta-5,7,10(19)-trien-3-ol

9,10-Secocholesta-5,7,10(19)-trien-3-ol, (3b,5Z,7E)-

Cholecalciferol, European Pharmacopoeia (EP) Reference Standard

Colecalciferol, British Pharmacopoeia (BP) Reference Standard

Cholecalciferol, United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Reference Standard

Cholecalciferol for system suitability, European Pharmacopoeia (EP) Reference Standard

Vitamin D3 solution, 1 mg/mL in ethanol, ampule of 1 mL, certified reference material

(1S,3Z)-3-[(2E)-2-[7a-Methyl-1-(6-methylheptan-2-yl)-2,3,3a,5,6,7-hexahydro-1H-inden-4-ylidene]ethylidene]-4-methylidenecyclohexan-1-ol

Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3), Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material

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