Vitamins and minerals are necessary for your body to function optimally. A deficiency of vitamins or nutrients can produce health conditions associated with decreased body function. A well-balanced diet generally provides your body with the vitamins and nutrients it needs to function. Vitamin D is a nutrient that is naturally present in some foods and that your body can manufacture from exposure to sunlight, and it plays an important role in your health.
What It Is
Vitamin D is found in dairy products such as cheese, butter and cream. It is also found in fish and fortified cereals. Your body manufactures vitamin D when the ultraviolet rays from sunlight penetrate your skin. Vitamin D is the only vitamin synthesized by your body from sun exposure. According to MayoClinic.com, sunlight contributes to a significant portion of your daily vitamin D. As little as 10 minutes of sun exposure is thought to prevent deficiencies.
Role of Vitamin D
Your liver and kidneys synthesize vitamin D from exposure to sunlight and food sources. Once synthesized, vitamin D plays a role in promoting calcium absorption through the intestines. It is also needed for healthy bone growth. It also helps promote proper cell growth and immune function, as well as neuromuscular function. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, a service of the National Institutes of Health, a lesser known role of vitamin D is in the reduction of inflammation.
Dangers of Vitamin D Deficiency
Nutritional deficiencies of vitamin D are most commonly caused by dietary deficiencies or impaired absorption. In rare circumstances, the liver or kidney has problems synthesizing vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency can cause osteoporosis in adults, a thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density. This can cause pain as well as bone fractures. In children, vitamin D deficiency can cause dental problems and rickets, a condition where the bones are soft, causing abnormal growth.
Groups at Risk
According to the ODS, breastfed infants are at risk of developing a vitamin D deficiency because the level of vitamin D in breast milk corresponds with the mother's levels. Home-bound individuals who have reduced exposure to sunlight are another group at risk for developing vitamin D deficiency. People with darker skin have a reduced ability to produce vitamin D from sunlight exposure, making them at risk of developing vitamin D deficiency. Because vitamin D is fat soluble, people with fat malabsorption are also at an increased risk for vitamin D deficiency.
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