Explore our alphabetical guide and discover why you need them, where you can get them and how to catch a deficiency before it catches you. Just click on a letter, and scroll down. Why you need it Vitamin D plays an important role in the processing of calcium and phosphorus in the body, and is essential for the growth and lifelong health of bones and teeth.
Good sources are eggs, meat, milk and butter, while exposure of the skin to sunlight is important.
Plants are poor sources, while fruit and nuts contain no vitamin D at all. Among the first symptoms of a deficiency are reduced serum levels of calcium and phosphorus. This can be accompanied by muscle weakness and tetany, as well as an increased risk of infection. Children may show unspecific symptoms, such as restlessness, irritability, a loss of appetite and excessive sweating. Both are characterised by the loss of mineral from the bones resulting in skeletal deformities, such as bowed legs in children.