Vitamin-D is not only beneficial, it’s necessary.The greatest source of Vitamin-D is sunlight.Learn the importance for yourself.

A 2009 study says three quarters of Americans are vitamin D deficient.

Vitamin D is a steroid vitamin, a group of fat-soluble hormones, which encourages the absorption and metabolism of calcium and phosphorous.

Vitamin D for humans is obtained from sun exposure, food and supplements. Foods such as salmon, tuna, eggs, cheese and several other food products.

It is an immune system regulator.

It may be an important way to keep the immune system against disorders like the common cold, say scientists from the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine.

Many studies have shown that people with adequate levels of vitamin D have a significantly lower risk of developing cancer, compared to people with lower levels of vitamin D.

According to a 2008 study, women with a vitamin D deficiency were almost 4 times more likely to have a cesarean than those with normal vitamin D levels.

Vitamin D deficiency was found to be more common in cancer patients regardless of nutritional status, in a study carried out by Cancer Treatment Centers of America.

Research has implicated vitamin D deficiency as a major factor in the pathology of at least 17 varieties of cancer as well as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, birth defects, periodontal disease, and more.

According to vitamindcouncil.org, there are three ways to ensure adequate levels of vitamin D:

• regularly receive midday sun exposure in the late spring, summer, and early fall, exposing as much of the skin as possible (being careful to never burn).

• regularly use a sun bed (avoiding sunburn) during the colder months.

• take 5,000 IU per day for 2–3 months, then obtain a 25-hydroxyvitamin D test. Adjust your dosage so that blood levels are between 50–80 ng/mL (or 125–200 nM/L) year-round.