How do you get your daily dose of vitamin D? Most people primarily get vitamin D from the sun’s ultraviolet light ; however this is not the only way you can gain this essential vitamin. But what is vitamin D, and what does your body use it for?

What is it?

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin which is important for many of the body’s functions. It contributes to the normal function of the immune system and cell division; however vitamin D is perhaps better known for working with calcium in your body to maintain bone health.

Vitamin D sources

There are a number of different sources for the intake of vitamin D. Some of the dietary sources include:

• Cod liver oil
• Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines, herring)
• Nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts)
• Milk and cereal (fortified with vitamin D)
• Eggs
• Some of the other sources of vitamin D consist of:
• Ultraviolet rays (sunshine)
• Multivitamins
• Vitamin D capsules, tablets, and liquids

What is it used for?

As previously mentioned, vitamin D is used for a number of important functions in the body. In fact, having the proper amount of vitamin D may help to support a number of health conditions:

• Post-menopausal women who are at a higher risk of osteoporosis can take vitamin D with calcium supplements to help with prevention, as well as helping to reduce the rate of bone loss.
• Vitamin D may reduce the risk of falling. In seniors, the vitamin may reduce falls by 22%.
• People with disorders of the parathyroid gland are often treated with vitamin D. The glands produce parathyroid hormone (PTH) which helps the body use and store calcium.
• Those who have lower levels of vitamin D are more likely to suffer obesity (than those with lower levels of vitamin D); however one study showed that people who were not getting enough calcium to start with saw the most benefit of weight difference.

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