Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin- meaning you have to ingest it with some form of fat to be able to absorb it. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, so it helps your bones to be strong. But, Vitamin D, also, is needed for muscles, nerves, digestion, and it helps keep you from getting sick!
We get Vitamin D from certain foods that contain fat- salmon, liver, cheese, egg yolks, mushrooms,etc. And, yes, we can absorb Vitamin D from the sun (well, it's a lot more scientific and technical than that, but being in the sun is part of it). Our bodies won't absorb Vitamin D through windows, so sitting inside by a window won't cut it! You actually have to go outside. Sunscreen will also block the absorption of Vitamin D from the sun- so get a few minutes outside before applying it!
Most people are taught that without enough Vitamin D you can get rickets (bone softening). But, Vitamin D deficiency can also cause bone pain, muscle weakness, and even other vitamin deficiencies since Vitamin D helps your body absorb magnesium, phosphate, iron, and zinc along with calcium. Vitamin D deficiency has also been noted in elderly psychiatric patients.
Synthetic vitamins all come with a risk of overdose, so the best way to get Vitamin D is through our food and the sun. Give yourself 15 minutes outside on a sunny day without any sunscreen, or add fatty fish (salmon, tuna, etc) to your diet once or twice a week. Or add cod liver oil to your diet.
For more information, watch the video below:
