About Vitamin D:
- Vitamin D (also referred to as calciferol) is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in a few foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement.
- It is also produced endogenously when ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis.
- During periods of sunlight, vitamin D is stored in fat and then released when sunlight is not available.
- Very few foods naturally contain vitamin D. Most people get vitamin D in their diet from foods that are fortified. This means that vitamin D is added to the food. These foods may include milk, cereal, and yogurt.
- Foods that naturally have vitamin D include egg yolks, saltwater fish, and liver.
- The amount of vitamin D one needs each day depends on one's age.
Why is Vitamin D So Important?
- Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption and helps maintain adequate levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood, which is necessary for healthy bones and teeth.
- Without sufficient vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen.
- Vitamin D has other roles in the body, including reduction of inflammation as well as modulation of such processes as cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function, and glucose metabolism.
Vitamin D Deficiency:
- In children, vitamin D deficiency causes rickets, a disease in which the bones become soft, weak, deformed, and painful.
- In teens and adults, vitamin D deficiency causes osteomalacia, a disorder that causes bone pain and muscle weakness.
- Vitamin D deficiency may be more common in people with higher skin melanin content (darker skin) and who wear clothing with extensive skin coverage.
Can Vitamin D be Harmful?
- Very high levels of vitamin D in your blood can cause nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, confusion, pain, loss of appetite, dehydration, excessive urination and thirst, and kidney stones.
- Extremely high levels of vitamin D can cause kidney failure, irregular heartbeat, and even death.
