Vitamin D

Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin D


What is vitamin D and what does it do?

Vitamin D is a nutrient found in some foods that is needed for health and to maintain strong bones. It does so by helping the body absorb calcium (one of bone's main building blocks) from food and supplements. People who get too little vitamin D may develop soft, thin, and brittle bones, a condition known as rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.

Vitamin D is important to the body in many other ways as well. Muscles need it to move, for example, nerves need it to carry messages between the brain and every body part, and the immune system needs vitamin D to fight off invading bacteria and viruses. Together with calcium, vitamin D also helps protect older adults from osteoporosis. Vitamin D is found in cells throughout the body.

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Vitamin D


Where can I find out more about vitamin D?

•For general information on vitamin D:
◦Office of Dietary Supplements Health Professional Fact Sheet on Vitamin D.
◦Office of Dietary Supplements Vitamin D QuickFacts.
◦Vitamins, MedLinePlus®


•For more information on food sources of vitamin D:
◦U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database Web site
◦Vitamin D Content of Selected Foods, USDA.


•For more advice on buying dietary supplements:
◦Office of Dietary Supplements Frequently Asked Questions: Which brand(s) of dietary supplements should I purchase?


•For information on the government's food guidance system:
◦MyPyramid
◦Dietary Guidelines for Americans