Calcium Plus Vitamin D

The Story behind Calcium Plus Vitamin D. In the early 20th century, Sir Edward Mellanby discovered that cod liver oil—a source of vitamin A—alleviated symptoms of rickets. Later, Professor Elmer McCollum tested cod liver oil without vitamin A. When it still prevented rickets, he assumed that a yet-undiscovered nutrient was responsible. He named it vitamin D. In 1937, vitamin D3 was identified by former Nobel-prize-winner Adolph Windaus and his associate. They found that D3 formed in the skin after it was exposed to sunlight. Fifteen years later, a team of researchers discovered that vitamin D mobilized calcium from the bone into the plasma. This led to the understanding of vitamin D’s role in maintaining serum calcium, which affects bone strength and neuromuscular function. Magnesium  was  named for the region in Greece where this mineral compound was first found. It is critical to bone development and health; heart, brain and kidney function; and to metabolism. It also supports a healthy pregnancy.