How It Works

Vitamin D plays an important role in absorbing and regulating blood levels of calcium and phosphorus, helping to build strong bones.

Vitamin D works with other vitamins, minerals and hormones to promote bone mineralization, keep your teeth strong, and help prevent cavities. And, it's important for the health of your gums.

Vitamin D also supports both the innate and adaptive branches of the immune system.

Research shows that vitamin D supports a healthy immune system, in part, by regulating lymphocyte function, cytokine production and macrophage activity.

Vitamin D is essential for the activation of immune cells needed to seek out and destroy infectious invading microbes. Without this activation, symptoms associated with the common cold and flu may appear to be more severe and longer-lasting.

Studies show that vitamin D also influences mood. Vitamin D is involved in the production of brain neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which are important for regulating mood. Vitamin D may also affect levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

In addition, new research shows that optimizing vitamin D levels can help blood pressure regulation by reducing excess fluid and relaxing blood vessels. Evidence suggests that vitamin D helps to lower the activity of a hormone that causes blood vessels to constrict. Vitamin D also promotes the production of nitric oxide, a signaling molecule that improves blood flow and circulation by relaxing arteries and blood vessels. And, vitamin D helps to inhibit the activity of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines that can damage blood vessels.

Plus, vitamin D plays a crucial role in growth and development, physical fitness, and the health of the nervous system and kidneys.

Research suggests that vitamin D levels in the elderly tend to be about half that of younger people.

The elderly are more susceptible to vitamin D deficiencies as a result of insufficient vitamin D in their diets, from taking medications that disrupt vitamin D metabolism, or simply not getting enough sunlight.

Others at a risk of vitamin D deficiency are alcoholics, those with malabsorption problems, and people who live in areas with little sunlight.