Are You Getting Enough Vitamin D?

Summer is just around the corner which means more sunlight and more opportunities to get vitamin D! But is sunlight your only source of vitamin D? Find out!

What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is a substance that helps your body absorb calcium and has a role in your nerve, muscle, and immune systems.

You can get vitamin D through:

Diet: Vitamin D-rich foods include egg yolks, saltwater fish, and liver.
Supplements: Vitamin D is available as a supplement in two forms D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol).
Sunlight: Your body naturally makes vitamin D when your skin is exposed to the sun. Though sunlight is needed to make vitamin D, it is important to lower the risk for skin cancer.

Vitamin D-Too Little or Too Much?

It is important to get enough vitamin D. How much you need depends on your age and gender; too much vitamin D can make the intestines absorb too much calcium. In some cases, very high doses of vitamin D can causehypervitaminosis D. However, too little vitamin D can lead to vitamin D deficiency, which can contribute to health conditions such as osteoporosis and bone loss.