Vitamin D 101
Vitamin D is a group of vitamins that are fat-soluble, meaning the body can store excess amounts of them. Its main role is to aid the absorption and utilization of calcium, phosphate, and magnesium, all of which are essential nutrients for bone health and strength.
Vitamin D is also sometimes referred to as a hormone-like vitamin because it has similar regulatory effects to other hormones. And its functions don’t stop there! Keep reading to learn more about the roles of vitamin D in the body.
What does vitamin D do?
There are two main forms - vitamin D2 and vitamin D3, with the latter being the active form in the human body. We all have vitamin D2 in our skin, which gets activated into vitamin D3 when the skin is exposed to the UV rays of the sun.
Once activated, vitamin D helps with the following functions inside the body:
- Improved mood and a lower risk of depression
- Improved immune function, meaning a lower risk of infection and reduced severity of infections
- Better brain function
- Reduced risk and severity of autoimmune conditions
- Lower risk of cancer
- Improved bone health and strength, leading to a lower risk of osteoporosis
- Easier weight management
Where can you get vitamin D?
Vitamin D deficiency is relatively common due to the modern-day lifestyle, particularly in northern climates. Luckily, there are lots of simple things that you can do to boost your body’s vitamin D production.
- Go outside. Aim for at least 10 minutes of sunlight a day but make sure to protect yourself when the sun is strong.
- Eat vitamin-D-rich foods, like dairy, eggs, fatty fish, mushrooms and fortified cereals.
- Take a vitamin D supplement. The best dosage depends on what your current vitamin D levels are, so it's important to consult with our healthcare provider before beginning a supplement routine.