The Importance of Vitamin D
We all know exercise, diet, and check-ups are important for staying healthy but there’s one often overlooked player that packs a punch: Vitamin D, aka the “sunshine vitamin.” Fun fact: Vitamin D is actually a hormone, and your body can make it naturally when your skin gets a bit of sun, or you can get it from certain foods and supplements.
Vitamin D isn’t just about strong bones (though that’s a big one). It helps keep your immune system on point, supports tissue repair, reduces inflammation, and emerging research even links it to protection against some cancers and chronic diseases. Basically, it’s a multitasking superhero for your body.
Studies show that UV exposure is one of the fastest ways to boost vitamin D levels, even a few minutes of sun on your skin goes a long way. But here’s the twist, summer rays alone won’t keep your levels topped up all year. That’s why supplementing, especially in winter or if you’re mostly indoors, is key. Of course, balance is everything. Public health guidelines remind us to protect our skin from overdoing it. Moderate sun exposure without burning maximises benefits safely, and factors like where you live, the season, and your skin type all play a role in how much sunlight you need.
Proactive Tips to Minimise Risk of Vitamin D Deficiency
You can take proactive steps to minimise the risk of vitamin D deficiency (fancy term is hypovitaminosis D), and in turn, risk of chronic disease, bone issues and certain cancers. A few simple steps go a long way, like:
- A little sun in the morning or late afternoon
- Eating vitamin D rich foods like oily fish, egg yolks and fortified foods (e.g. dairy)
- Checking your blood levels of vitamin D regularly
- Consider supplementation if your levels are low, during the winter, or if you spend majority of time indoors.
And here’s where it gets really practical, checking your bone health with a low dose DEXA Bone Mineral Density (BMD) scan is a quick and great way to see how your vitamin D levels, lifestyle, and overall health are impacting your bones and your body composition.
From a proactive health perspective, keeping your vitamin D topped up is one of the easiest, most effective things you can do to support long-term wellbeing. Think of it as a small habit with big rewards, with sunshine and smart choices all rolled into one.
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References
Gruber-Bzura, B.M. Vitamin D—is the sun enough for us?. Nutr Metab (Lond)22, 70 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12986-025-00962-9 – linked here
Raymond-Lezman JR, Riskin SI. Benefits and Risks of Sun Exposure to Maintain Adequate Vitamin D Levels. PMCID: PMC10239563; PMID: 37284402. Nova Southeastern University, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine. linked here
Author: Carly – MBR team member and proactive health advocate
Disclaimer
The information above is for educational purposes only and is not a replacement for a medical consult with your trusted healthcare providers. Please speak to your GP about checking on your vitamin D levels and obtaining referral for a Bone Mineral Density.
