Vitamin D

The human body produces vitamin D as a response to sun exposure. A person can also boost their vitamin D intake through certain foods or supplements. Despite its name, vitamin D is not a vitamin but a hormone or prohormone.

 Vitamin D is essential for maintaining healthy bones and teeth. It also plays many other important roles in the body, including regulating inflammation and immune function.

 Most people in northern climates do not get enough sun exposure for adequate vitamin D absorption. For this situation adequate vitamin D must come from food sources or supplementing the vitamin.

Vitamin D deficiency can lead to:

• Bone fragility, especially in older adults

• Osteoporosis

• Bone pain

• Fatigue

• Muscle twitching

• Muscle weakness

• Myalgias, or muscle pain

• Athralgias, or joint stiffness

Benefits of supplementing vitamin D:

• Promoting healthy bones and teeth

• Supporting immune, brain, and nervous system health

• Regulating insulin levels and supporting diabetes management

• Supporting lung function and cardiovascular health

• Influencing the expression of genes involved in cancer development