Vitamin D: sources, physiological role, biokinetics, deficiency, therapeutic use, toxicity, and overview of analytical methods for detection of vitamin D and its metabolites

Abstract

Vitamin D has a well-known role in the calcium homeostasis. Its function is however clearly larger.

This review summarizes beyond its physiological function also its food occurence, kinetics, causes and symptoms of vitamin D deficiency as well as analytical methods for its detection, possible pharmacological use and toxicity.

Keywords

• Calcitriol
• cholecalciferol
• ergocalciferol
• rickets
• calcium
• immunity
• detection