Vitamin D is produced in the body on its own. After the body has been exposed to the light of the sun for at least a few hours a week. With the help of sunlight, the body should be able to produce enough Vitamin D to make up the daily requirements every day. Vitamin D is also called Cholecalciferol sometimes.

Unlike many Vitamins, Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin which means it can be stored in the body for later use. It is stable, meaning that it is not broken down easily when cooked or exposed to other sources of heat. Vitamin D helps the body to absorb calcium, which means stronger bones and teeth that are less prone to decay and brittleness. The more Vitamin D means more Calcium, and more Calcium equals stronger bones. Enough Vitamin D can eliminate or reduce the risk of osteoporosis and arthritis, and ease the pain associated with the two. If you have back problems, Vitamin D may be able to help you to feel better. Without Vitamin D, the body will be unable to properly absorb Phosphorus, which is extremely important to the body. Studies have shown that Vitamin D may even be able to protect against certain types of cancer and other diseases.

It is possible to obtain Vitamin D through Vitamin D fortified milk. This milk also provides the body with needed calcium, for strong healthy bones and teeth. Salmon, tuna, sardines and other fish are great sources of Vitamin D as well, and the Vitamin is rich in organ animal meats, like liver, brain and kidney. Butter and eggs are also rich in Vitamin D as well, as are wheat and cereal. If all of these things are not part of your diet, it is possible to supplement your diet with cod liver oil, to get in some extra Vitamin D.

It is recommended that adults consume 200 to 400 International Unites of Vitamin D each day. As people get older, it is recommended that they increase their intake to at least 400-600 International Units per day as well.

Over supplementing yourself on Vitamin D can have adverse health effects. Excess Vitamin D and calcium can cause kidney stones and teeth and bone problems. Calcium deposits can even harden the artery, a fatal effect.

Rickets is a sign of a Vitamin D or Calcium deficiency. Children are the most common sufferers of the disease, which is characterized by soft bones or deformed bones. Infants who are not given enough Vitamin D can enough suffer from soft legs, or a knock-kneed condition, which is extremely embarrassing and painful As a person gets older, the symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency can become more serious, up to weak bones and osteoporosis.

Technorati tags: vitamin body calcium which with enough