Many Americans are not getting enough Vitamin D.

Vitamin D is an important nutrient for bone health that may also play a role in cancer prevention and treatment. Adequate vitamin D can be produced by our bodies following sunlight exposure. However, factors like sunscreen use, pollution, season of the year, aging, and limited sunlight exposure can make it impossible to meet vitamin D needs without dietary or supplemental sources of vitamin D. Few foods contain naturally occurring vitamin D. Most people rely on fortified foods, including breakfast cereals, soy and rice milks, cow's milk, juices, and margarine to meet their vitamin D needs. Researchers recently examined vitamin D intakes of various groups in the United States and found that several groups are not getting enough vitamin D. Up to 90 percent of older people do not consume adequate amounts of vitamin D. Female teenagers and young adults also are likely to have low intakes of vitamin D. Vitamin D-fortified foods, such as fortified soy and rice milks, juices, and breakfast cereals, should be used regularly to insure an adequate intake of vitamin D.

Moore C, Murphy MM, Keast DR, Holick MD. 2004. Vitamin D intake in the United States. J Am Diet Assoc 104:980-83.