Ultraviolet B Radiation: The Vitamin D Connection.

Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin. During exposure to sunlight the skin transforms 7-dehydrocholesterol into vitamin D3. Throughout evolution vitamin D3 has played a pivotal role in the evolution of vertebrates. Vitamin D is not only critically important for bone health but has a multitude of other biologic functions to help reduce chronic illnesses. This Chapter reviews how vitamin D is produced in the skin, factors that affect its production and a prospective on how to obtain vitamin D from sensible sun exposure.