Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and does not occur naturally in many foods. Fish is one of the very few that it does occur naturally and that is because of the sun's synthesizing effect on the algae they eat.

Other sources are milk, breakfast cereals, breads and other foods that have been fortified with the vitamin. Supplements are the other source. The estimated intake for those baby boomers aged over 50 is 10 mg/day or 400IU/day.

Vitamin D is produced in the skin and darker skinned people tend not to produce the vitamin as readily as their fair skinned counterparts. Couple this with those who may live in cold, cloudy and wet areas where there is not as much sunshine or the skin is covered a lot, the intake needs will vary which may include adding supplements to the diet.

UVB (ultraviolet B) radiation exposure to the skin is what activates the production of vitamin D. The vitamin must then undergo activation and this takes place primarily in the liver and the kidneys.

The conversion process begins in the liver where 25-hydroxyvitamin D or 25(OH)D is produced and ultimately through the kidneys to become 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D or 1,25(OH)2D simply known as vitamin D. The transformed vitamin is then released into the blood stream where it helps many functions by maintaining calcium levels in the body.

The Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University presents the following:

"The parathyroid glands sense the serum calcium level, and secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH) if it becomes too low, for example, when dietary calcium intake is inadequate. PTH stimulates the activity of the 1-hydroxylase enzyme in the kidney, resulting in increased production of calcitriol, the biologically active form of vitamin D3. Increased calcitriol production restores normal serum calcium levels in three different ways: 1)by activating the vitamin D-dependent transport system in the small intestine, increasing the absorption of dietary calcium; 2)by increasing the mobilization of calcium from bone into the circulation; and 3) by increasing the reabsorption of calcium by the kidneys. PTH is also required to increase calcium mobilization from bone and calcium reabsorption by the kidneys. However, PTH is not required for the effect of calcitriol on the intestinal absorption of calcium."

The vitamin is responsible for maintaining healthy bones due to its aid in production and utilization of calcium. Serum calcium levels are also responsible for the normal functioning of the nervous system.

The vitamin has also been a proven boost to the immune system and it's function, to neuromuscular diseases such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis and Huntington's disease. It has also been shown to help in the reduction of inflammation for osteoporosis patients.

Specific to the Baby Boomers

Calcium production for healthy bones is of the utmost importance.

Osteomalacia, a softening of the bones, may be prevented because of proper calcium maintenance.

Osteoporosis, where the bone mineral density is reduced, may be prevented because of proper calcium maintenance.

Inflamation from osteoporosis condition has been shown to be reduced.

The immune system and function is positively impacted by vitamin D.

Neuromuscular diseases have a known boost by it's activity in the body.

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