Non Calcaemic & Non Osteogenic Functions of Vitamin D: A Brief Review

Vitamin D was discovered in early 20th century while looking for a cure for rickets [1]. British doctor Edward Mellan [2] by noticed dogs that were fed cod liver oil did not develop rickets and concluded vitamin A, or a closely associated factor, could prevent the disease. In 1922, Elmer McCollum tested modified cod liver oil in which the vitamin A had been destroyed [3]. The modified oil cured the sick dogs, so McCollum concluded the factor in cod liver oil which cured rickets was distinct from vitamin A. He called it vitamin D because it was the fourth vitamin to be named.