While vitamin D is indeed an essential vitamin…did you know that it is not really a vitamin? Yes…it’s actually a hormone. Your body makes it from cholesterol, and the process occurs when you’re exposed to sunlight. It’s a fat-soluble substance that’s in a family of compounds that includes D1, D2, and D3.
While the human body makes vitamin D naturally, most people don’t get enough sunlight to make enough. More than 40% of people in the United States are vitamin D deficient.center
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Pain in your bones
- Changes in your mood (such as depression)
Why You Need Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an important nutrient for many reasons…it plays a role in bone health, immune health, the reduction of inflammation, and more. Your body makes it on its own when you expose your skin to sunlight. The recommended daily allowance is 15 micrograms (600 IU) for men and women to maintain bone health. The recommendations are based on the assumption that people get very little sun exposure.
Getting enough vitamin D is essential for avoiding a deficiency. The compound plays vital roles in your body such as:
- Bone Health
- Immune Health
- Mental Health
- Infant Health
- Wound Healing