Vitamin D deficiency causes abnormal bone formation. In children this is known as rickets. Rickets is a bone diseasing which bone mineralization is compromised. Rickets is soft bone and skeletal deformities. Vitamin D deficiency can result in osteopenia, osteomalacia or osteoporosis in adults. Osteomalacia results in lack of incorporation in adults. Osteomalacia is low bone mass whish is a risk factor of Osteoporosis. Osteomalacia result in lack of incorporation of calcium and/or phosphate into the protein bone matrix, which may be caused by poor diet, lack of vitamin D and/or from not getting enough sunlight.

Osteomalacia is characterized by muscular weakness and softening of the bone. Osteoporosis is a reduction in the quantity of normally materialized bone and is characterized by fragile bones, which significantly increases the risk of bone fractures. Osteoporosis is most often associated with inadequate calcium intake. However, a deficiency of vitamin D also contributes to osteoporosis by reducing calcium absorption.

Vitamin D deficiency is more common in individuals who live in regions where there is restricted sunlight exposure or a high level of atmospheric pollution, strict vegetarians, dark-skinned people and senior s who primarily stay indoors. The recommended daily allowance for vitamin D is 400 I.U.; however, higher amount of vitamin D ma be necessary for many reasons. As people age, skin cannot synthesize vitamin D as efficiently. In addition, with age kidneys are less able to convert vitamin D to its active form. It is estimated that as many as 30-40% of seniors with hip fractures are vitamin D deficient. Therefore, older adults may benefit from increased levels of vitamin D.

Furthermore due to the increased use of sunscreen-containing makeup and skin care products to Enhance Beneficial Effects skin Long standing problems and other negative consequences of excessive sun exposure, there is a greater need for supplemental vitamin D since sunscreens with protection factor of 8 or greater will block UV rays that produce vitamin D.