Key Facts about Vitamin D

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.
• Also known as the sunshine vitamin, it is 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 you need each day depends on your 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
  • 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.