Ergocalciferol, commonly known as vitamin D₂, is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in calcium and phosphate homeostasis, essential for healthy bone growth, mineralization, and overall skeletal health. It helps regulate the absorption of calcium and phosphate in the intestines and maintains proper levels of these minerals in the blood, preventing disorders such as rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Ergocalciferol is obtained from plant sources and fungi and was first discovered in the 1920s when researchers found that ultraviolet irradiation of yeast and ergosterol could prevent rickets, marking a significant advancement in nutritional science. Over the decades, it has been developed into pharmaceutical preparations and dietary supplements to treat and prevent vitamin D deficiency, playing a key role not only in bone health but also in supporting immune function, muscle strength, and overall metabolic processes. Its discovery and therapeutic use have had a lasting impact on public health, especially in populations at risk of vitamin D deficiency due to limited sunlight exposure or dietary intake.
