What vitamin is primarily obtained from sunlight?

Vitamin D is primarily obtained from sunlight, specifically through a process where ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun convert a chemical in the skin into an active form of vitamin D. This vitamin plays a crucial role in calcium and phosphate regulation in the body, which is important for maintaining healthy bones.

When the skin is exposed to sunlight, it synthesizes vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), which is then converted in the liver and kidneys into its active form, calcitriol. This process underscores the importance of adequate sunlight exposure for maintaining optimal vitamin D levels, particularly in individuals who may have limited dietary sources of this vitamin or have conditions that affect absorption.

Understanding this relationship between sunlight and vitamin D is essential, especially in the context of preventing deficiencies, which can lead to conditions such as rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.