Whether we like it or not (I'm supposing we don't), baby boomers are aging. There are an estimated 70 odd million of us, the oldest now getting ready to turn 64ish? We are exercising and trying to take our health seriously, but, the past always seems to catch up with us in the present. Now what that means is that we wanted our cake and eat it to. Well, you guessed it, the old body can only stand so much.

But now for the more promising part. There is something that can be done. Insuring that we get what we need to remain strong and vibrant is only a matter of remaining somewhat vigilant in our pursuits. One small area of vigilance is making sure that the body has the vitamin D it needs for our bones to remain strong in these latter years.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and does not appear naturally within many foods. Fish is among the few that it occurs naturally and that is usually due to the suns synthesizing effect on the algae that they feed on.

Additional sources are milk, breakfast cereals, breads as well as other foods which have been fortified with the vitamin. Dietary supplements can be the additional source. The estimated daily allowance for those baby boomers aged over 50 is 10 mg/day or 400 IU/day.

Vitamin D is created in the skin and darker skinned individuals have a tendency not to produce the vitamin as easily as their fair skinned counterparts. Couple this with people who might reside in cold, cloudy and damp locations where there is less sunshine or the skin might be covered a great deal, the intake requirements will vary which may include adding supplements to the diet.

UVB (ultraviolet B) radiation contact with the skin is what stimulates the production of vitamin D. The vitamin must next undergo activation and this takes place chiefly within the liver and also the kidneys.

The conversion process begins within the liver where 25-hydroxyvitamin D or 25(OH)D is produced and finally through the kidneys to turn into 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D or 1,25(OH)2D, simply known as vitamin D. The changed vitamin is then launched into the blood supply where it helps numerous functions by maintaining calcium levels within the body.

The following is a paraphrase from the Linus Pauling Institute.

When serum calcium levels become low, the parathyroid glands secrete the hormone PTH. The hormone stimulates activity within the kidneys that results in increased production of calcitriol. Calcitriol then helps to restore normal serum calcium levels in the body. It does this by increasing the absorption of dietary calcium in the small intestines, by increasing the transfer of calcium from bone into the circulation and it increases the reabsorption of calcium by the kidneys.

The vitamin is accountable for sustaining healthy bones on account of its help with production as well as utilization of calcium. Serum calcium levels are also responsible for the normal performance of the nervous system.

The vitamin has also been a demonstrated boost for the immune system and its function, to neuromuscular illnesses such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis and Huntington's disease. It has also been shown to assist in the decrease of inflammation for osteoporosis sufferers.

Specific to the Baby Boomers

• Calcium Production - This is paramount for healthy bones and has the highest level of importance.
• Osteomalacia - Osteomalacia is a softening of the bones and may be prevented by proper calcium maintenance produced by vitamin D.
• Osteoporosis - Osteoporosis is the condition where the bone mineral density is reduced. It may be prevented by proper calcium maintenance.
• Inflammation - Inflammation from the osteoporosis condition has been shown to be reduced.
• The Immune System - The immune system and its function is positively impacted by vitamin D.
• Neuromuscular Diseases- Neuromuscular diseases have a known boost of prevention and/or treatment by the activity of vitamin D in the body.

Please note that when taking supplements you should always consult your physician or a trusted nutritionist.

About the author:

This article was compiled and written by George Hollis. Mr. Hollis is a baby boomer who wishes to present information concerning health and wealth that is of benefit and specific to baby boomers around the world. He is also the owner and author of content on www.BoomersProfit.com, a site wholly dedicated to baby boomers.