Provitamin
Pro-vitamins are precursors of vitamins and have yet to be converted into this to be useful for the body.
Examples
- Provitamin A ( α -, β - and γ -carotene and β -cryptoxanthin ) as a precursor of vitamin A (retinol).
- Dexpanthenol may be converted to pantothenic acid (vitamin B5).
- The provitamin D2 ( ergosterol ) is a precursor of vitamin D2 ( ergocalciferol).
- Provitamin D3 ( 7-dehydrocholesterol ) in the skin is converted by UV radiation (sunlight) to vitamin D3 ( cholecalciferol).