What vitamin is produced in the skin and is essential for bone formation?

Vitamin D is produced in the skin through a process initiated by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight. When UV radiation hits the skin, it converts 7-dehydrocholesterol, a compound in the skin, into vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). This vitamin is essential for bone formation because it helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus, which are vital minerals for the development and maintenance of healthy bones.

Without sufficient vitamin D, the body struggles to absorb these essential nutrients effectively, potentially leading to bone disorders such as rickets in children or osteomalacia in adults, characterized by weakened bones. This highlights the critical role that vitamin D plays in skeletal health. Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of sunlight exposure for maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D in the body.