Increasing your intake of this vitamin can significantly help protect against heart disease and cancer.

When someone asks me which nutrients are most important, my answer is: All of them.

The fact is, your body needs a full range of nutrients to function properly – nutrients are not optional.

While the 2,000 or so vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients are impressive in their own way, vitamin D is a superstar that deserves to be worshipped.

Let’s take a closer look at how vitamin D works and why you shouldn’t go without it.

Vitamin D is just the beginning for bones!

Vitamin D works with parathyroid hormone (PTH) to regulate blood calcium levels and support bone health (it also helps prevent osteoporosis).

But it’s also important for dental and oral health. Studies have shown that in men and women over 50, vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of periodontal (gum) disease.

Strengthening the immune system

Vitamin D also helps regulate immune system activity, preventing excessive inflammatory immune responses, such as those seen in autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s disease, colitis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, type 1 diabetes, and Graves’ disease.