This is a major question to ask for all of us. Although vitamin D deficiency is very common, people take it lightly. It is important to be aware of the fact that deficiency in vitamin D often leads to weak bones, called osteoporosis. You can naturally receive vitamin D for your body, through sun exposure. Sun light is not only essential for strong bones, but it also helps the body to use calcium from the various diets that are rich in the same. There are various causes of vitamin D deficiency which are as follows:

1) Improper consumption of recommended levels of vitamins:

Vitamin D deficiency can take place if there is insufficient intake of food like fruits, vegetables and dairy products. These are all rich sources of vitamin.

2) Certain diseases that affect the intestinal functions of the body:

Although people may consume a lot of food consisting of vitamins, yet you are likely to experience vitamin D deficiency. This can happen with people who are suffering from certain disease like crohn's disease and colitis, which is responsible for damaging the lining of the digestive tract. This leads to improper absorption of many crucial vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D.

3) Limited exposure towards sunlight:

People who are house bound or bed ridden are likely to suffer from vitamin D deficiency. Also, people who often use sunscreen products, become victims of vitamin D deficiency. Sunscreen products prevent sunlight from penetrating the skin. People who wear long robes or cover their heads due to religious reasons and people who have an occupation that prevents them from being exposed in the sun, may suffer from vitamin D deficiency.

The most common cause of vitamin D deficiency is inadequate exposure to sunlight, as absorption of ultraviolet radiation of sunlight is crucial for synthesis of vitamin D. Therefore, factors that can prevent exposure to sunlight, can be the important causes of vitamin D deficiency. Such factors include spending most of the time indoors, keeping the whole body covered with thick garments, dark skin and using excessive sunscreen products on skin. Use of sunscreen products actually prevents sunlight from penetrating the skin, while presence of excess melanin in the skin, as in the case of dark skin, can also impair the absorption of ultraviolet radiation.

Thanks for the information which you have shared here regarding the Vitamin D and its benefits . I appreciate your work and having the information regarding the same thing is really good.

(04-13-2010 06:23 PM)andrewstratos Wrote:  The most common cause of vitamin D deficiency is inadequate exposure to sunlight,

That`s a problem here in the UK.