Vitamin D

Vitamin D3 levels also decrease with age because skin synthesis declines. The use of sunscreen, as well as dark skin pigmentation, can also reduce the amount of vitamin D3 the body produces. Vitamin D affects many organ systems, but it primarily helps to increase calcium and phosphate absorption from the intestines and promotes the formation of mineralisation within the bones. A deficiency in vitamin D can be the result of the following: • Lack of exposure to sunlight • Reduced intake of vitamin D in the diet • A reduction in the absorption of vitamin D • Vitamin D is unable to be metabolised by the body