Question

Does the skin produce hormones that are essential for proper calcium absorption from the digestive tract, or does it produce calcitriol? If not, what role does the skin play in the process of calcium absorption?

Answer 1

Calcitriol, also called 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D, is formed from vitamin D by enzymes in the liver and kidney. Calcitriol acts on many different tissues, but its most important action is to increase intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus, thus supplying minerals for the skeleton.