Our Vitamin D-3, cholecalciferol, is the most active form of Vitamin D
and is equivalent to the Vitamin D formed on our skin from ultraviolet B
radiation. Darker skin pigmentation, use of sunscreens (SPF of 8 or
more), geographic latitude above 30, and aging can all significantly
inhibit the skin’s production of vitamin D3. Furthermore, recent studies
indicate that hypovitaminosis D is extremely prevalent in the U.S.
adult population, in free-living and institutionalized elders, in young
and middle aged adults and in African American women of child bearing
age, especially at the end of winter.
Vitamin D is a necessary addition
to calcium supplementation to prevent bone loss, especially in winter.
Current research is revealing connections between vitamin D deficiency,
as measured by 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), and a growing list of
medical condition, including cancer, cariovascular disease,
osteoarthritis, autoimmune conditions, diabetes and macular
degeneration.
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