Maintaining proper levels of vitamin D is vital to overall health and wellness.

However, these measures also block beneficial UVB rays, which has resulted in epidemic levels of vitamin D deficiency. Such awareness has led to increased protection from the sun’s harmful UVA rays. This is in large part thanks to increased awareness of sunburn and skin cancer risks, as well as to prevent premature skin aging.

When we do make time to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors, too often we cover our arms, legs and face with lightweight clothing and wide-brimmed hats. Our indoor society is exposed to the sun much less than prior generations. While spending time in the sun sounds easy, the shift from an agrarian society into today’s information age has directly affected our lifestyle - which now includes sitting behind a computer screen for hours each day. Awareness of the importance of vitamin D’s role in overall health is crucial to living your healthiest life. Studies have shown that vitamin D insufficiency is widespread, with approximately 77% of the global population experiencing low levels of vitamin D. When vitamin D levels are maintained, this hormone boosts your immune system - readying you for any physical or mental challenge that comes your way. The bioavailability of vitamin D is managed by several internal control mechanisms to ensure your body gets only what it needs. Though it sounds complicated, this process is regulated naturally by the body. Calcitriol binds to vitamin D receptors in nearly every cell throughout the body. After arriving in the liver, vitamin D requires two metabolic conversions to become calcitriol – the active form of vitamin D.

Pre-vitamin D3 then converts to vitamin D3 in the skin and transfers to the bloodstream over several days. Vitamin D is naturally produced when UVB light is absorbed by the skin, converting a specialized cholesterol to pre-vitamin D3. Despite being called a vitamin, vitamin D is actually a hormone produced within the body. Vitamin D is often referred to as the sunshine vitamin because vitamin D3 production in the skin is activated by the sun’s ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.

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