Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a nutrient that the body needs in small amounts to function and stay healthy. Vitamin D helps the body use calcium and phosphorus to make strong bones and teeth. It is fat-soluble (can dissolve in fats and oils) and is found in fatty fish, egg yolks, and dairy products. Skin exposed to sunshine can also make vitamin D. Not enough vitamin D can cause a bone disease called rickets. It is being studied in the prevention and treatment of some types of cancer. Also called cholecalciferol.

What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is important for strong bones, muscles, and general good health.

Vitamin D Biochemistry

Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D Overdose

Vitamin D Supplementation

Vitamin D and Type 2 Diabetes

The Connection Between Vitamin D and Mental Health

The Role of Vitamin D in Hormonal Balance

Latest Vitamin D News and Research

Colorectal cancer burden climbs in countries with low milk intake

A global study finds that low milk intake is linked to increased colorectal cancer burden, especially in older adults. Prostate cancer rates showed negative trends, though the findings may reflect model limitations rather than protective effects.

26 Mar 2025

Pass the (iodized) salt: Iodine deficiency drives frailty risk in people with diabetes

Lower iodine levels and use of non-iodized salt are linked to a higher risk of frailty in people with type 2 diabetes. This association is strongest in those with thyroid dysfunction, underscoring the importance of adequate iodine intake.

26 Mar 2025

How your diet and probiotics can improve vaccine effectiveness

Researchers uncover how probiotics and diet shape the gut microbiome to boost vaccine efficacy, offering new avenues for precision immunization.

23 Mar 2025

Mediterranean diet shows promise in easing psoriasis, acne, and hidradenitis suppurativa

A recent review highlights how the Mediterranean diet can reduce inflammation and improve outcomes for chronic skin conditions like psoriasis, acne, and hidradenitis suppurativa by modulating key inflammatory pathways and supporting metabolic health.

19 Mar 2025

Can yogurt and kefir help prevent osteoporosis? Scientists examine the facts

Fermented dairy products and probiotics may support bone health by enhancing calcium absorption, modulating inflammation, and influencing bone remodeling, though human studies show mixed results.

18 Mar 2025

Study shows how autism-linked picky eating causes serious vitamin deficiencies

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face a high risk of multiple micronutrient deficiencies, especially vitamins A, D, B12, and calcium, due to extreme food selectivity. These deficiencies can lead to severe health issues like rickets, vision loss, and immune dysfunction, even in children with normal body weight.

13 Mar 2025

Children who eat fish are more prosocial, but does it impact intelligence?

Children who eat less seafood are significantly more likely to have lower prosocial behavior scores, but no link was found between seafood intake and IQ.

12 Mar 2025

How eating more calories helps lower asthma risk in children - but only up to a point

Children and adolescents in the U.S. who consume higher amounts of dietary energy have a lower risk of asthma, but this protective effect stops beyond 56.442 kcal per kilogram of body weight per day. The study found an L-shaped relationship, suggesting that insufficient energy intake may heighten asthma risk.

12 Mar 2025

Millions in US live in places where doctors don’t practice and telehealth doesn’t reach

Green lights flickered on the wireless router in Barbara Williams' kitchen. Just one bar lit up — a weak signal connecting her to the world beyond her home in the Alabama Black Belt.

10 Mar 2025

Why do some people need supplements and others don’t? New review explains

New research in The New England Journal of Medicine reviews current knowledge on micronutrient requirements, deficiencies, and interventions. It highlights the need for targeted supplementation and calls for advanced research to better diagnose and treat hidden deficiencies.

9 Mar 2025

Study finds Pacific children struggling with micronutrient intake and obesity

Children ages two to eight years across 11 Pacific jurisdictions (Alaska, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Hawai'i, Marshall Islands, and Palau) are not meeting daily recommended intakes for key micronutrients, either consuming too much or too little.

6 Mar 2025