Vitamin D deficiency Syndrome (VDDS) is defined as a level below 20ng/mL and may cause Ricket's in children (soft bones and skeletal deformities), osteomalacia in adults (weak bones and muscle weakness), and osteoporosis (brittle bones that may lead to fractures) in postmenopausal women and the elderly. Recent studies even show that the lack of adequate sun exposure in certain parts of the world may lead to ovarian cancer. The lack of sun exposure, the lack of a proper vitamin D-providing diet, inadequate absorption from the intestine, and inadequate conversion of vitamin D by the kidney to its active form, lead to vitamin D deficiency. 

WHAT IS VITAMIN D? Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin formed from a reaction between the sun's UVB rays and a cholesterol-like steroid in the skin called 7-dehydrocholesterol. Vitamin D is also a prohormone, which means it is converted to other hormones as it is broken down by the body. It is normally obtained from two sources: sunlight (UVB rays) and in the diet.

Vitamin D is key in regulating levels of calcium and phosphorus in the body by helping with their absorption from the GI tract. Vitamin D helps form strong and healthy bones. Vitamin D can also control how much parathyroid hormone is released in the body.

	Vitamin D3 - Natural Gels VITAMIN D3 is an essential fat soluble vitamin and a prohormone normally obtained through the skin and diet. $17.00
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Vitamin D can be produced in the skin with ONLY 10-15 minutes of exposure per day. Do whatever is necessary to avoid burning. Staying out of the sun or wearing clothing are my preferred methods. In good conscience I cannot recommend the use of any sun block creams,

WHAT KIND OF VITAMIN D SHOULD I USE? Vitamin D supplementation should be taken in the form of D3 (cholecalciferol) not D2 (ergocalciferol). Check your bottle of vitamins! Also, try to take a form of vitamin D supplementation that does NOT also include vitamin A (retinol) to prevent vitamin A related toxicity.

HOW MUCH VITAMIN D CAN BE TAKEN? (TOTAL, INCLUDING ALL SOURCES)