What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that is found in food and can also be made in your body after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. Sunshine is a significant source of vitamin D because UV rays from sunlight trigger vitamin D synthesis in the skin.

Vitamin D exists in several forms, each with a different level of activity. Calciferol is the most active form of vitamin D. Other forms are relatively inactive in the body. The liver and kidney help convert vitamin D to its active hormone form. Once vitamin D is produced in the skin or consumed in food, it requires chemical conversion in the liver and kidney to form 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D, the physiologically active form of vitamin D. Active vitamin D functions as a hormone because it sends a message to the intestines to increase the absorption of calcium and phosphorus.

The major biologic function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. By promoting calcium absorption, vitamin D helps to form and maintain strong bones. Vitamin D also works in concert with a number of other vitamins, minerals, and hormones to promote bone mineralization. Without vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen. Vitamin D sufficiency prevents rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, two forms of skeletal diseases that weaken bones.

Research also suggests that vitamin D may help maintain a healthy immune system and help regulate cell growth and differentiation, the process that determines what a cell is to become.

Vitamin D is a group of fat soluble nutrients that will help the body''s metabolism levels as well as other things. Vitamin D has two major forms known as D2 and D3. Vitamin D3 comes from the sun. It comes from UV rays that have B radiation. You will find that there are many foods that are enriched with the vitamin and some that have just Vitamin D as an ingredient. 

The difference is that some foods have it naturally as an ingredient, however, vitamin D can be added to certain things like orange juice and milk so that you can absorb more of the vitamin in your diet. There aren''t many foods that have the vitamin in it naturally and so that is why we enrich food with the substance. It is needed for you to grow strong and healthy. 

Vitamin D keeps your body healthy because it will allow you to maintain the organ system by allowing it to function normally. Your organs need the system to function properly. In addition, it will regulate the amount of calcium and phosphorus in the body. It will re-absorb calcium in the kidneys for your health. It will also help you with your bone strength. 

That is just one of the reasons why it is important that you drink a lot of vitamin D milk when you are younger. If you do, the vitamin D will help you build a strong skeletal system. It also has been proven to help you prevent cancerous cells from forming. 

Some people will have a vitamin D deficiency. It is caused from people who don''t get sunlight in their lives. People who avoid the sun and keep their home closed tight from the sunlight will have a vitamin D deficiency. In addition, if you do not drink milk in your diet or eat foods fortified with the vitamin, you can have a Vitamin D deficiency. 

When you get a deficiency, you will find a number of illnesses will ail you. You may have a liver or kidney disorder, soft bones, a low metabolism. In addition, it can cause rickets in children. If you have a vitamin d deficiency, you may be at risk for having or developing osteoporosis. It is very important that you keep your vitamin d levels up by eating fortified foods or by taking a supplement.