All About Vitamin D

Vitamin D is very important as it plays a role in the body. Some of its functions include helping our bodies absorb calcium and phosphorus, helping calcium and phosphorus get to our bones and teeth, aiding with the regulation of the amount of calcium in the blood, and helping protect against the loss of bone mass with the help of calcium. Vitamin D can also help muscles function and assist the immune system with fighting off bacteria and viruses. The three main forms of vitamin D are the sun, your diet, and supplements. Since the sun is one source of vitamin D, it is often referred to as the “sunshine vitamin.” Your body can convert sunlight into vitamin D, but this is not the recommended form of getting vitamin D since extended exposure of sunlight to the skin can be harmful. Since sun exposure is not a recommended form of this vitamin, the diet can play an important role in getting vitamin D into your body. Foods such as salmon and mackerel are good sources of this vitamin, but there are very few other foods that naturally have vitamin D. Certain foods, such as milk, cereal, orange juice, yogurt, and cheese can be fortified with vitamin D, so these types of foods become the best sources of the vitamin. The final form of vitamin D is supplements. Some people need extra vitamin D, so supplements are used in those scenarios. Vitamin D supplements are often used by seniors and people with certain medical conditions, but you should always check with your healthcare provider before taking a supplement. Overall, vitamin D is an important vitamin that has many health benefits, and it can come from several different sources. 

For more information on vitamin D, go to: https://www.eatright.org/food/vitamins-and-supplements/types-of-vitamins-and-nutrients/what-is-vitamin-d