A lot of fuss is made about receiving optimal amounts of vitamins and minerals; in turn, the supplement industry has exploded and there are more products available these days than ever before. Most of us know that in order to remain healthy, we need to receive adequate amounts of vitamins in our daily diets; what a lot of us are unaware of, though, is that vitamin D is one thing we're probably not getting nearly enough of.

Vitamin D Deficiencies: A Common Modern Phenomenon

Back in the early years of human history, humans spent much of their time outdoors. Our earliest ancestors also tended to live in warm, sunny climates and received ample amounts of direct sunlight each day. One of the best ways to achieve the daily recommended dose of vitamin D is through exposure to the sun, so our ancestors more than likely never had to worry about deficiencies. In these modern times, sunscreen, staying indoors and living in less sunny locales are top reasons for the prevalence of vitamin D deficiencies in modern humans.

A Precursor To "Diseases Of Civilization"

Many so-called "diseases of civilization" may be linked to vitamin D deficiencies. Cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, irritable bowel disease, chronic pain, osteoporosis and periodontal disease are just a few examples of conditions that may be caused by not receiving enough vitamin D. Osteoporosis certainly gets a lot of the attention, but more and more studies are showing that vitamin D deficiencies may be the driving force behind several startling phenomena.

An Increase In Several Conditions

The recent increase in several key childhood conditions - asthma, autism and type 1 diabetes - may be linked to vitamin D deficiencies. The problem could very well stem from the increased use of sunscreens as people become more and more concerned about UV rays and the potential for skin cancer. By slathering our children with sunscreen, we may be giving them a vitamin D deficiency. Funnily enough, increasing your exposure to the sun isn't the best way to go about treating a vitamin D deficiency; prescription medication may be the way to go.

Increasing Levels Of Vitamin D In The Body

Since laying out in the sun isn't the best option, vitamin D supplementation could be. However, prescribing the proper dosage of vitamin D can be tricky and is a task that is best left to a capable compounding pharmacy. Various factors can affect how effective a vitamin D supplement can be for certain individuals; weight and age, for instance, can come into play. Diagnosing a vitamin D deficiency isn't easy, but chances are high that you have one; check with your doctor to learn more about supplementing your diet with vitamin D.