About Solaana MD A Vitamin D Deficiency Epidemic Vitamin D deficiency is a global concern. Seventy-eight million Americans and an estimated 1 billion people worldwide have inadequate blood levels of vitamin D. This statistic includes people of all ethnicities and age groups. Low vitamin D levels have been linked to cardiovascular disease, immune deficiency, osteoporosis, depression, and fatigue. The US Food and Drug Administration recommends 15 to 25 micrograms of vitamin D daily. Our bodies can manufacture vitamin D when our skin is exposed to the sun. However, correctly applied sunscreen reduces our ability to obtain vitamin D by over 90%. Oral supplements and foods such as egg yolks, fatty fish, and fortified dairy offer dietary vitamin D. However, our absorption of this nutrient declines with age and can be affected by dietary restrictions and inflammatory conditions of the digestive tract. Ensuring adequate vitamin D levels is crucial for the long-term health of our skin and bo