Recent studies have shown that many Americans are deficient in vitamin D, and hence they need to ensure that they get their daily dose of this vitamin. According to health specialists, vitamin D is not a "vitamin" in the strict sense of the word and it is often called the sunshine vitamin as the source of this vitamin is the sun.

Vitamin D is more like a hormone and as pointed above, trends have shown that many Americans do not get the requisite amount of vitamin D. This can be due to the fact that many of us work indoors all day long and venture outside for a very short duration. Further, most Americans leave for work before the sun is up and get home after sunset. Hence, they do not get exposed to the sun and lose out on this important vitamin. The few who go for sun bathing protect themselves using sun screen that effectively blocks vitamin D from reaching the skin.

Vitamin D is essential for your bones and helps your intestines to digest the minerals that help in calcifying your bones. These minerals like calcium and phosphorous often help the bones to develop and make them stronger. If your bones are strong, there is lesser chance of breaking them and fracturing them when you accidentally slip and fall. This is more the reason for you to have enough dosages of vitamin D. Further, since it is a hormone there are several ways in which it helps the metabolism of the body and keeps you healthy and well. The health problems that arise because of vitamin D deficiencies are numerous and range from cancer to obesity. You also stand the risk of hormonal imbalances leading to other associated issues.

There are set standards on how much vitamin D is needed by your body. These standards vary between age groups and genders. The older you are, the more units of vitamin D that you should get. Hence, it becomes imperative for you to absorb as much as you can of this vitamin. There are other experts who opine that some of these standards are outdated and low and hence the present level of your intake may still lead you to health disorders. You might be wondering how to get your dose of vitamin D. The best way to get your daily dose is by exposing yourself to sunlight as much as you can without getting sun burned. You should make it a habit to sit in the sun for around half an hour every day and ensure that you get enough of this vitamin.

There are specific months where the sunlight is conducive to the transmission of this vitamin and there are times when it is not. So, you should draw up a timetable that allows you enough of this vitamin and avoid some of the health problems described above. It is preferable that you do not use sun screen too much and let the natural rays do their work.