Vitamin D is actually formed naturally by our bodies as a result of sun exposure. Unfortunately, as we age our bodies becomes less efficient at producing their own Vitamin D and according to experts, Vitamin D deficiencies are surprisingly common.

Did you know that sufficient amounts of Vitamin D are essential for bone health? In most discussions concerning bone health, the attention is usually placed on Calcium- and rightfully so. Calcium is crucial, but it requires other vitamins, minerals and hormones to work properly within the body.

In order for Calcium to be absorbed by the body and actually transported to the bones, Vitamin D must be present to assist in the absorption process. If Vitamin D is not present in the body to absorb calcium from the kidneys and intestines, then the Calcium simply passes out of the body as waste.

Research has also shown that Vitamin D may not only play an important role in maintaining strong bones, but it may also have a beneficial impact on cardiovascular health. In recent studies, researchers have found that there was a consistent reduction in heart-related deaths among people who took Vitamin D supplements.

Taking a Vitamin D supplement will help to:

    * Avoid Vitamin D deficiency
    * Strengthen bones
    * Protect the heart

Another critical component for bone and cardiovascular health is Vitamin K2.  Like Vitamin D, K2 is required by the body for appropriate absorption and regulation of Calcium. Vitamin K2 appears to be specifically important in maintaining bone mineralization. It also has the power to limit the development of osteoclasts, which are cells that break down bone mass. As more research is being done, it is becoming increasingly clear that we need more K2 to fully activate the proteins that enable Calcium absorption.