Vitamin D is essential to health! It a substance that we cannot function well without.

It is common knowledge that the body makes its own Vitamin D when the skin is exposed to sunlight.  It is that form that we use most efficiently.  While Vitamin D supplements are great, “homemade” is better.  That is not a free pass to go into the sun for any great amount of time.  Small amounts are necessary; too much is not good, and you want to avoid a “tanned” look.

Vitamin D Has an Important Role in Many Body Systems

Vitamin D plays an important role in many body systems.

We need it to help with calcium and phosphorus absorption, and needed to prevent muscle pain or weakness, bone pain and falls in older adults. Those over age 65 are at risk for vitamin D deficiency. It is  considered by many to be protective against some cancers. It helps regulate blood pressure and glucose metabolism and has a vital role in immunity.  Therefore is essential in the management of diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes.  Again, this is not saying that Vitamin D treats any of these issues but it is essential to maintenance and restoration of health.

While there can be toxicity issues if the Vitamin D level in the blood goes too high, it is not likely that it will happen.  The majority of patients I have seen recently are Vitamin D deficient.  You would need to take and absorb a lot of Vitamin D to get the blood levels up high enough to be toxic.

Know the importance of this key vitamin and have your physician check your Vitamin D level. If needed, take the doc’s recommendation for supplementation. And expose your forearms and lower legs (not your face) to the sun for 10 minutes a day and find joy in your life.  Joy makes you live longer.