Vitamin D levels in the body impact the mineral composition of your bones, which influences bone strength and rigidity. Additionally, healthy levels of vitamin D help reduce the risk of weak, brittle bones and fractures by reinforcing the body’s ability to properly absorb and transport minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus, to your bones.
Research also suggests that a vitamin D deficiency may lead to bone loss, broken bones, or osteoporosis, while a severe deficiency may cause issues associated with soft bones, such as rickets or osteomalacia.
Individuals who may be susceptible to poor vitamin D levels include those who:
- Have little exposure to sunlight
- Are 50 years of age or older
- Are lactose intolerant
- Follow a vegan diet
- Take certain medications (e.g., anticonvulsants)
- Have kidney disease or other conditions that affect mineral absorption
If you fall into one of these categories, you may benefit from increased sunlight exposure and vitamin D supplementation.
Vitamin D and Sunlight
When the body is exposed to sunlight, a type of cholesterol molecule in the skin called 7-dehydrocholesterol absorbs ultraviolet (UV) rays and gets converted into vitamin D3. Next, transport proteins bind to vitamin D3 and help carry it to the bloodstream, where it influences different processes, including mineral absorption and circulation throughout the body.
The body’s natural ability to form vitamin D3 following sunlight exposure stays fairly constant throughout adulthood, as the amount of 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin remains relatively stable until the later stages of life when it starts to gradually decline.
For instance, a 70-year-old’s body makes about 25% of the vitamin D that a 20-year old’s body produces when exposed to the same amount of sunlight. This indicates that vitamin D3 supplementation becomes beneficial with age and for people who are susceptible to low vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D Supplementation
There are very few natural food sources of vitamin D, which include certain fish (e.g., salmon, sardines, mackerel), egg yolks, and some mushrooms. Similarly, a limited number of foods (e.g., milk, orange juice, bread, cereal) are fortified with vitamin D. Thus, more than 90% of most people’s daily vitamin D requirement comes from sunlight exposure. In the absence of adequate sunlight exposure, supplementation becomes useful.
Currently, the recommended daily intake of vitamin D for adults is 800 IU or 20 micrograms, and most supplements provide 1000 IU or more of vitamin D3. If low vitamin D status is confirmed, a health professional may recommend a higher serving of a vitamin D3 supplement along with follow-ups to measure vitamin D levels in the blood. Taking steps to ensure healthy vitamin D levels is vital for bone health.
Vitamin D Impacts Bone Health Through Mineral Support
The combination of regular sunlight exposure and enhanced dietary intake of vitamin D helps circulate nutrients (e.g., essential minerals) that promote strong bones for life. Your body needs minerals such as calcium and phosphorus to maintain the hardness and strength of your bones, but these minerals are less beneficial at promoting bone tissue rejuvenation following an injury. If bone damage occurs, specific growth factors produced in the body in small amounts are tasked with encouraging bone tissue rejuvenation.
Supplements like Ostinol®, which contains a specialized growth-factor complex, prompt bone tissue remodeling that promotes natural bone tissue growth. This type of support encourages the body to develop a robust bone structure, after which mineral supplements can reinforce and help maintain the strength of your bones.
For robust bones at any age, it is important to provide the body with sunlight, dietary vitamin D, and specialized growth factors like the complex in Ostinol® products.