Vitamin D

What's so Important About Vitamin D?

Vitamin D, calciferol, is a fat-soluble vitamin. It is found in food, but also can be made in your body after exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. Vitamin D exists in several forms, each with a different activity. Some forms are relatively inactive in the body, and have limited ability to function as a vitamin. The liver and kidney help convert vitamin D to its active hormone form, vitamin D3.

There is very little vitamin D found naturally in the foods we eat, the best sources are cold water fish. In many countries, vitamin D is added to milk and other foods, contributing to our daily intake.

By far the best source of vitamin D is sunlight. However, current recommendations which stress sun avoidance and the use of sunblock may have the unintended effect of increasing the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. Even simply working indoors and traveling in vehicles drastically reduces our natural exposure to sunlight.

Promotes Healthy Immune Function

Vitamin D is fundamental to the development and control of important cells in the immune system, including lymphocytes, and macrophages. It acts on immune cells producing a variety of chemical messengers. Adequate levels of vitamin D are required in these processes to maintain the integrity of the immune system. It has been said that Vitamin D delivers what Vitamin C has promised.

Increases Bioavailability of Calcium

Vitamin D increases the availability and absorption of calcium by all tissues. The human body contains more calcium than any other mineral, with almost 90 percent used in the bones and teeth.

Supports Bone Tissue

Vitamin D maintains calcium and phosphate levels to ensure correct mineralization of bones. It keeps bones and teeth at the appropriate density for proper growth and maintenance. Severe vitamin D deficiency was common in England in the 1800s due to coal smoke obscuring the sun. During that time, cod liver oil, which is high in vitamin D, became popular as a supplement for children to help prevent rickets. Rickets is a disease caused by vitamin D deficiency in which developing bones soften and curve because they aren't receiving enough calcium.

Supports Normal Growth & Reproductive Health

Vitamin D helps control blood levels of calcium and phosphate, which together, at the cellular level react with proteins, fats and carbohydrates to supply energy and the materials for proper growth and repair of cells. In combination with vitamin A it supports healthy sperm in males and a healthy pregnancy in females.