Vitamin D, obtained from some foods though primarily through exposure to the sun, plays a number of vital roles within our bodies and can help a large number of our body systems function effectively. Lack of vitamin D, in fact, can be linked to a number of medical disorders such as diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, lupus, arthritis, asthma, multiple sclerosis (MS), dental problems, thyroid disease and even depression.

While the effects a lack of vitamin D can have on our system is well known the overall beneficial aspects that vitamin D supplements have on our bodies are still being explored. It has been discovered, for instance, that regular production of vitamin D can actually stimulate the pancreas into producing insulin and as such can help both treat and ward off diabetes in many cases.

Vitamin D also plays a vital role in allowing our bodies to both properly develop and maintain our muscles and bones. Working to assist with phosphorus absorption in the intestines along with the metabolism (processing and utilization) of various chemicals within our blood stream vitamin D can help not only fend off but also actively treat many bone and muscular disorders affecting a large number of people around the world.

In some countries where sun exposure and thus the natural generation of vitamin D is generally shunned upon (particularly in many Asian countries such as China) vitamin D deficiency is a leading cause of many medical conditions and is a leading cause of depression – particularly in women who tend to avoid the sun more than men. When tied with other environmental factors this is also a primary contributing factor to many disorders involving the kidneys, pancreas, stomach and intestines in addition to dental degeneration over time.

If you are concerned about your ability to obtain regular exposure to the sun in order to produce vitamin D naturally consider adding supplements to your normal diet in order to ensure that you are not adding any additional strain to your system that could otherwise be avoided. These can be easily purchased at many health food shops and can help prevent many chronic diseases from taking hold well before they begin to form.