Vitamin D Facts

From Heather Brannon, MD, former About.com Guide

Updated September 03, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Vitamin D is an important chemical in the body that helps transport calcium from digested food in the stomach to the blood stream, so it can keep bones strong. There are two ways the body gets vitamin D:

• Exposure to UV radiation
• Ingesting foods or supplements that contain vitamin D

For years, some people have argued that it's better for your overall health to get vitamin D from exposure to the sun or a tanning bed, instead of wearing sunscreen and limiting sun exposure. You can find out more about this controversy and why it is not healthy to get vitamin D from sun exposure or tanning.

If you don't get your vitamin D from UV rays, though, how do you get it? Is it better to eat food with vitamin D or take supplements? How much vitamin D do you need and can you get too much? You can find the answers to these questions and more here:

Previous

• Vitamin D Facts
• How Much Vitamin D Do You Need?
• Foods With Vitamin D
• Foods Fortified with Vitamin D
• Vitamin D Supplements
• Vitamin D Fact Sources

Next