Vitamin D is sometimes referred to as the “sunshine vitamin.”
That’s because the main source of this vitamin so necessary for
good health comes from exposure to the sun. When sunlight hits
the skin, vitamin D precursors present on the surface of the
skin are activated and undergo further processing by the liver
and kidney to create vitamin D in a form the body can use. There
are two types of vitamin D. Vitamin D3 is the form of vitamin D
synthesized from exposure to sunlight, while vitamin D2 is the
kind in fortified foods and the type found in plants.
Unfortunately, most people don’t get enough vitamin D from
sunlight or diet. Estimates are that up to 75% of the adult
population has vitamin D levels that are too low for good
health. Vitamin D deficiencies are common because there are few
food sources of vitamin D with the exception of fatty fish like
salmon, liver and egg yolks. Fortified milk, orange juice,
yogurt and other products fortified with vitamin D are also good
sources. People who are older, those