Chronic exposure to excessive amounts of alcohol is shown to significantly decrease the body’s vitamin D levels. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and plays an important role in growing and maintaining bones, reducing inflammation, modulating cell growth, and keeping the immune system strong. Lack of vitamin D can lead to thin, weak, and misshapen bones, and increases the risk for serious health problems including osteoporosis. Research indicates that people who abuse alcohol and who deplete their body’s levels of vitamin D are at increased risk for respiratory problems, infection, and death.
Vitamin D is available as a supplement and naturally present in eggs, fatty fish, and foods fortified in vitamin D, such as cereal, milk, and orange juice. Your body also produces vitamin D naturally when your skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. Researchers suggest spending five to 30 minutes in the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at least two times per week to boost your body’s production of vitamin D.