Osteoporosis and Vitamin D
The term “vitamin D” refers to different forms of this vitamin. Two forms are important in humans: ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). Vitamin D2 is synthesized by plants. Vitamin D3 is synthesized by humans in the skin when exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Foods may be fortified with vitamin D2 or D3.
The biological function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Recently, research also suggests that vitamin D may provide protection against osteoporosis, hypertension (high blood pressure), cancer and various autoimmune diseases.
Osteoporosis Canada reports that vitamin D3 can increase calcium absorption by 30 to 80 percent … The importance of vitamin D to bone health can not be overstated and calcium supplements D3 but few contain enough to maintain optimal blood levels.
Doctors often advise women to take calcium supplements as part of their treatment of osteoporosis. Often referred to as the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D is a must if you want all the calcium to do any good. Vitamin D, which makes your skin every time it is exposed to sunlight (except during the winter in northern latitudes), helps the body absorb calcium and strong bones well.
As the body is able to use the UV rays into vitamin D through the short, most people are able to obtain significant anounts through exposure to sunlight for a period of 15 to 20 minutes . If you are in an unfortunate case where you can not get access to sunlight after vitamin D can be obtained from foods like fortified milk or by eating fish or cod liver oil.
Vitamin D can be toxic in large doses. For that reason it should not take supplements of 600 international units a day, unless your doctor advises.

