WHAT DOES VITAMIN D DO?

Vitamin D has long been known for aiding calcium absorption to support strong bones.* This vitamin helps regulate circulating calcium levels to support normal bone mineralization, growth, and remodeling.*

In addition, this nutrient binds to receptors on immune cells, including lymphocytes and macrophages, thus supporting normal immune function.* It’s also important for muscle strength, brain development, and cellular function.*

Why Take Vitamin D Supplements?

For most people, taking a vitamin D supplement is the best way to obtain sufficient intake, because too much sun exposure can lead to skin damage, and it is difficult to eat enough from food.

When your skin is exposed to the sun, it produces vitamin D. However, concerns about skin damage mean many people avoid the sun or cover their bodies with clothing or sunscreen. Thus, you are less likely to form sufficient vitamin D from sunlight.

Natural food is another source of vitamin D, and yet very few foods naturally contain this vitamin.

When you don’t get enough from sunlight and food alone, dietary supplements may be required to meet the daily need for vitamin D..

Am I Getting Enough Vitamin D?

People can be lacking in vitamin D when their exposure to the sun is limited, they don’t consume or absorb enough from food, or their kidneys cannot covert vitamin D to its active form in the body. Without adequate vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen.

Groups who are at high risk for vitamin D deficiency:

• People with limited sun exposure
• People with dark skin, which works as a natural sunscreen
• Breastfed infants, because human breast milk contains only small amounts of vitamin D
• Older adults, because they are likely to spend more time indoors, and as they age, skin can’t produce vitamin D as efficiently
• Obese people, because their body fat binds to some vitamin D and prevents it from getting into the blood
• People with some medical conditions that cause malabsorption of fat