Vitamin D: a D-Lightful health perspective

Sunlight provides most humans with their vitamin D requirement. Adequate vitamin D-3 by synthesis in the skin or from dietary and supplemental sources is essential for bone health throughout life. Vitamin D deficiency is defined as a 25(OH)D concentration < 20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L); vitamin D sufficiency as a 25(OH)D > 30 ng/mL (75 nmol/L), and insufficiency as 21-29 ng/mL. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency has been linked to a wide variety of chronic diseases including common cancers, autoimmune, cardiovascular, and infectious diseases. Healthcare professionals need to be aware of the vitamin D deficiency pandemic. Guidelines for sensible sun exposure and supplemental vitamin D of 800-1000 IU/day are needed. (C) 2008 International Life Sciences Institute.