A variety of vitamins and minerals exists because the human body relies so much on them. In fact, these are very important to a person's physical as well as emotional well-being. Lack of one of these nutrients may result to unhealthy conditions. This holds true with regards to Vitamin D and the resulting condition if a person has insufficient amount of this vitamin is Vitamin D deficiency.

How important is Vitamin D? Here are some functions to enlighten you on the importance of Vitamin D and to encourage you to eat more Vitamin D foods. First, Vitamin D helps the gut absorb calcium. Second, it maintains enough serum calcium in the body and enough phosphate concentrations. This is to allow the bone to normally mineralize and in order to avert hypocalcemic tetany or that condition due to the level of calcium being below the normal state. Third, Vitamin D is necessary in order for the bones to grow and remodel. If a person has low level of this vitamin, it may result to the bones becoming brittle, thin or deformed. Fourth, it works together with calcium in protecting older adults from having osteoporosis. Fifth, it also helps in the regulation of the growth and function of cellular in the brain cells. And sixth, it also helps reduce inflammation. You might want to take note that these functions are impaired if you suffer from Vitamin D deficiency.

The next question that you would surely ask is where to get Vitamin D. Here are the best sources out there:

• Fortified foods. When you say fortified, it connotes that there have been vitamins or minerals added to food aside from those that were initially found prior to the food being refined. If a food is fortified, it means that that food has more vitamins and minerals as compared to the same food that was not fortified. One example Vitamin D fortified milk. If you drink a cup of this, it is equivalent to one-half of the amount of Vitamin D required to be taken daily with regards to adult with the age of 19 and above up to 50
• Fish oils and fatty fish are also Vitamin D foods
• Sunlight exposure. It is important to know that Ultraviolet rays of the sun prompt the production of Vitamin D in the skin. It is a great weapon against Vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D plays a very important role in the body. Without it, the body cannot function normally. In fact, a mere lack of it can lead to a condition known as Vitamin D deficiency. Knowing this, you should now make Vitamin D a vital part of your diet by including Vitamin D foods in your list.