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Ultraviolet B Radiation: The Vitamin D Connection

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Ultraviolet Light in Human Health, Diseases and Environment

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 996))

Abstract

Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin. During exposure to sunlight the skin transforms 7-dehydrocholesterol into vitamin D3. Throughout evolution vitamin D3 has played a pivotal role in the evolution of vertebrates. Vitamin D is not only critically important for bone health but has a multitude of other biologic functions to help reduce chronic illnesses. This Chapter reviews how vitamin D is produced in the skin, factors that affect its production and a prospective on how to obtain vitamin D from sensible sun exposure.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section Endocrinology, Nutrition and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, Physiology and Biophysics, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02118, USA

    Michael F. Holick

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Correspondence to Michael F. Holick.

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  1. Faculty of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom

    Shamim I. Ahmad

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Holick, M.F. (2017). Ultraviolet B Radiation: The Vitamin D Connection. In: Ahmad, S. (eds) Ultraviolet Light in Human Health, Diseases and Environment. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 996. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56017-5_12

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