Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble hormone, commonly known as the 'sunshine vitamin,' that is uniquely synthesized in the skin upon exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight. It can also be obtained through dietary sources like fatty fish and fortified foods, though most people rely on supplementation to maintain optimal levels. Recent scientific consensus, including the 2024 Endocrine Society guidelines, emphasizes its role as a pleiotropic hormone that influences nearly every cell in the body by regulating thousands of genes.