Why is vitamin D so important?

The most clearly established benefit of vitamin D is that it helps the body absorb calcium and therefore promotes healthy bones. Insufficient vitamin D levels can happen if a person gets very little sun exposure or doesn’t consume enough food or fortified beverages. Low vitamin D intake can lead to Ricketts in children, soft bones (osteomalacia) at any age and osteoporosis with increased fracture risk in adults. Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to other health problems, but they are not solely responsible for these problems.