Sunlight Deficiency and Osteoporosis

Most of us grew up being told to drink our milk so that we can keep our bones big and strong. We all know our bones need calcium to remain healthy, but did you know vitamin D is also a foundation for healthy bones? The combination of vitamin D and calcium may be the key to reducing your risk of osteoporosis.


Some people are at a greater risk of vitamin D deficiency and osteoporosis than others. These people include:

  • People living in colder climates: Vitamin D deficiency is a large problem in colder places like New York. Vitamin D production in the skin is almost diminished during the winter.
  • Older people: As we age, it becomes increasingly difficult for our skin to synthesize vitamin D efficiently.
  • People with dark skin: People with a darker skin tone have larger amounts in melanin in the epidermal layer. Because of this, it is often difficult for the skin to synthesize vitamin D.
  • People with inflammatory bowel: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means the gut is responsible for its absorption. People who have difficulty absorbing the vitamin might need vitamin D supplementation.
  • People who are obese: People who are obese may require more vitamin D compared to people with a normal weight. This is because the release of vitamin D into the body’s circulation is altered by larger amounts of fat.

If you are one of the people listed above, you should take extra precautions to prevent osteoporosis. You can ingest vitamin D through foods like orange juice, soy milk, cheese, egg yolks, and fatty fish, including tuna and salmon. You can also take the vitamin through a range of dietary supplements. You can also spend time outdoors when you can because your skin will produce vitamin D when it is exposed to sunlight. If you already have osteoporosis, vitamin D and calcium will not be enough to help prevent fractures so you must keep up with medicines prescribed for your osteoporosis.

Although bone health is extremely important for living a long and happy life, it is important to maintain the correct levels of vitamin D for several other reasons. Aside from maintaining bone health, vitamin D helps with reduction of inflammation, modulation of cell growth, and neuromuscular and immune function.


Jaime Venditti, State Coordinator, New York Health Works