Taking vitamin D versus Making vitamin D

The Surprising Truth About Vitamin D: Sunlight vs. Supplements

Vitamin D3 has become a hot topic in health conversations, shifting focus from calcium to its critical role in bone health and beyond. Research links deficiency to suppressed immunity, autoimmune diseases, and more, though supplement studies have fallen short of expectations. During the COVID pandemic, its importance was highlighted, with low levels tied to worse outcomes. But is the vitamin D we make from sunlight the same as what’s in capsules? This article explores the benefits of natural vitamin D production, other molecules made from sun exposure, and whether supplements are truly the answer—or if we’ve misunderstood this vital nutrient.