Vitamin D is different from other vitamins – chemically speaking, it is more of a hormone than a vitamin. Vitamin D is found naturally in oily fish, red meat, liver, egg yolks, and morning sunshine.

Vitamin D is unique because it’s one of only two vitamins that your body can produce on its own (the other is vitamin K), and you can also get it from other sources like food or supplements. It’s also technically a hormone that regulates how much calcium is in your blood.

Unlike other vitamins, it requires conversion in the liver and kidneys to make it an active hormone. “Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that our bodies use to absorb and maintain healthy calcium and phosphorus levels, which are necessary to grow and maintain our bones. As much as it’s vital for healthy bones and teeth, vitamin D also regulates cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function, and inflammation reduction.

You’ve probably heard that vitamin D is only important for your bones – not true – it supports your body in other ways, too. While we generally associate vitamin D with musculoskeletal health, it has several functions in the body, including its role in immune function and reducing inflammation.

A deficiency of Vitamin D leads to the softening of the bones (rickets or osteomalacia).

Also, low levels of vitamin D could be linked to chronic diseases like cancer, multiple sclerosis, and heart and circulatory disease.

Thankfully, Vitamin D is found in a variety of the foods we eat. Fatty fish, such as tuna, salmon, cod, and mackerel, all contain high levels. Other foods, like milk and orange juice, can be fortified with it.

There are also over-the-counter supplements you can take; however, some of them contain well over the recommended daily intake, and research has called their effectiveness into question. But the easiest way to obtain vitamin D is to just go outside on a sunny day. It’s generally better to get vitamin D from the sun and food than from supplements.