• Vitamin D enhances calcium absorption in the gut and sustains sufficient serum calcium and phosphate concentrations to enable normal mineralization of bone and to prevent hypocalcemic tetany. It is also needed for bone growth and bone remodeling by osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Without sufficient vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen. Vitamin D sufficiency prevents osteomalacia in adults. Together with calcium, vitamin D also helps protect older adults from osteoporosis.In addition, Vitamin D helps with modulation of cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function, and reduction of inflammation.

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Older & Young Adults

According to National Institute of Health and the FDA, older adults are at increased risk of developing vitamin D insufficiency in part because, as they age, skin cannot synthesize vitamin D as efficiently, they are likely to spend more time indoors, and they may have inadequate intakes of the vitamin. As many as half of older adults in the United States with hip fractures could have serum 25(OH)D levels <30 nmol/L (<12 ng/mL).

Osteoporosis Patients

According to NIH, over  40 million adults in the United States have or are at risk of developing osteoporosis, a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue that increases bone fragility and significantly increases the risk of bone fractures. Osteoporosis is often linked with insufficient calcium intakes, but insufficient vitamin D contributes to osteoporosis by reducing calcium absorption Adequate storage levels of vitamin D maintain bone strength and might help prevent osteoporosis in older adults, non-ambulatory individuals who have difficulty exercising, postmenopausal women, and individuals on chronic steroid therapy .

Inflammatory bowel disease patients and other conditions causing fat malabsorption

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, its absorption depends on the gut’s capacity to absorb dietary fat. Individuals who have a reduced ability to absorb dietary fat might require vitamin D supplementation. Fat malabsorption is concomitant with a variety of medical conditions, including some forms of liver disease, cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, and Crohn’s disease, as well as ulcerative colitis when the terminal ileum is inflamed.

People with limited sun exposure

Individuals that are homebound, people with occupations that limit sun exposure, folks who wear long robes and head coverings for religious reasons, are unlikely to obtain adequate vitamin D from sunlight. Ingesting RDA levels of vitamin D from foods and/or supplements will provide these individuals with adequate amounts of this nutrient.

People with dark skin

Greater amounts of the pigment melanin in the epidermal layer result in darker skin and reduce the skin’s ability to produce vitamin D.  Ingesting RDA levels of vitamin D from foods and/or supplements will provide these individuals with adequate amounts of this nutrient.

People who are obese or who have undergone gastric bypass surgery

A body mass index ≥30 is associated with lower serum 25(OH)D levels compared with non-obese individuals; people who are obese may need larger than usual intakes of vitamin D to achieve 25(OH)D levels comparable to those of normal weight.