What is Vitamin D

There are actually several forms of vitamin D. Vitamin D2 is produced by invertebrates, fungi, and plants in response to UV irradiation, but is not produced by vertebrates. Little is known about the biologic function of vitamin D2 in non-vertebrate species.

Vitamin D3 is made when the skin reacts with UVB ultraviolet light. Adequate amounts of vitamin D3 can be made in the skin after only ten to fifteen minutes of good sun exposure. With longer exposure to UVB rays, equilibrium is achieved, and the vitamin D3 degrades as fast as it is generated.

Vitamin D Sources

Fish, beef, and eggs are all good sources of vitamin D. Other foods that are “fortified” with vitamin D are; milk, yogurt, margarine, oil spreads, breakfast cereals, pastries, and bread. For those who are lactose intolerant supplementation is often recommended. Supplementation is typically about 1000 I.U. per day. Your Vitamin D level should be around 50 ng/ml year round.

Vitamin D for Bones

Vitamin D assists calcium for bone growth, maintenance and remodeling. Vitamin D also plays an important role in the maintenance of organ systems and in the immune system health.

Vitamin D Deficiency

The only way to diagnose Vitamin D deficiency is by what is called a 25-hydroxyvitamin D test. Vitamin D deficiency causes range from inadequate intake, inadequate sunlight, metabolic disorders, liver or kidney disorders, or rare hereditary disorders. Vitamin D deficiency can result in impaired bone mineralization, which can lead to bone softening diseases, such as rickets in children, osteomalacia in adults and contributes to osteoporosis.