Increased urbanization and migration have changed man’s relationship to the sun. From the era of abundant unfiltered sunlight, when outdoor ways of life abounded , we have evolved to working from dawn to dusk in air conditioned offices , only to emerge and plunge into indoor gyms. During the rare sunshine exposures, either the maze of smoggy clouds or sunscreens and protective clothing, starve the body of supply.

Vitamin D has come a long way. From being merely the bone-associated , “sunshine” vitamin. Modern medicine has rechristened it a metabolic modulator almost akin to a hormone.

Since its discovery and association with rickets (pot-bellied kids with wiry limbs who were D deprived), it is common knowledge that sunlight is the most important factor responsible for the production of Vit amin D. The rays of the sun strike the skin and stimulate the formulation of cholecalciferol, the precursor molecule. The type of sunlight is important — best in the early morning or late afternoon and not in the blazing sun. [Read more...]