Why Vitamin D Is So Important for Older Adults, and How to Get Enough Nov 05, 2026
Vitamin D is essential at every age. It helps your body absorb the calcium it needs for strong bones, and it supports your muscles, nerves, and immune system. But did you know that older adults are more likely than younger people to fall short of the amount they need?
Keep reading to find out why vitamin D becomes more important as you age, how deficiencies can contribute to health problems, and what to do to maintain healthy levels.
Getting Less Than 42 Minutes of This a Day Is Linked to Higher Dementia Risk Nov 05, 2026
Getting plenty of sunlight each day is linked to several health benefits, including a lowered risk of depression and better sleep. And now new research suggests another perk to add to the list: a reduced risk of dementia.
That's the major takeaway from a new General Psychiatry study where researchers found a link between more daytime light exposure and a significantly lower risk of dementia in study participants. Sunlight exposure isn't currently considered a big factor in dementia prevention, but the findings make a strong case for it. Here's what neurologists say about this news.
Vitamin D Winter Is Here: New 2026 Research Shows Why Sunlight Matters More Than Ever Oct 29, 2026
World Vitamin D Day - November 2nd
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Distribution
TORONTO, ON (October 29, 2026) – Vitamin D winter has arrived, and new research published this year shows why sunlight matters more than ever for your health. As the Vitamin D Society marks its 18th annual November Vitamin D Awareness Month and World Vitamin D Day on November 2nd, we are calling on Canadians to take action now to keep their vitamin D levels up through the darker months ahead.
People should worry about what shortens their life. Research is now revealing that people who get regular sun exposure, without burning, have lower mortality rates and live longer.
“Moderate sensible sun exposure makes vitamin D in your skin plus many additional benefits that are part of a healthy lifestyle. People should go more out into the sun. Avoid the sunburn and enjoy it!” says Dr. Stefan Pilz of the Medical University of Graz in Austria.
Breast cancer prevention spotlights research on sunlight and vitamin D Oct 29, 2026
ENCINITAS – During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Helen Knoll Foundation and GrassrootsHealth are bringing a question to the forefront of women’s health: What role might sunlight and vitamin D play in breast cancer risk, and what does the evidence say?
Research from UC San Diego and more than 200 other studies has examined the association between higher vitamin D blood levels and lower breast cancer risk. Researchers have also studied vitamin D levels in relation to premenopausal breast cancer. The two nonprofits want more people to know about this work and take part in the conversation.
Much of that research began with sunlight. In 1980, UC San Diego epidemiologists Cedric and Frank Garland noted that colon cancer rates were higher in regions that receive less sunlight. They proposed that lower exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) light, the specific band of sunlight that initiates vitamin D production in the body, might explain the difference. Later studies extended this work to breast cancer.
A 2008 analysis of 107 countries published in The Breast Journal, co-authored by two of this year’s honorees, found that lower UVB levels were associated with higher breast cancer incidence.
Trends Of Vitamin D Status Are Linked To Breast Cancer Outcomes Oct 05, 2026
Vitamin D plays a well-established role in overall health, and a growing body of research has linked vitamin D status to breast cancer risk and outcomes.
However, most studies to date have relied on a single measurement to assess a person's vitamin D status, and one reading can only reveal so much (after all, it's just a snapshot in time). Now, a new study tracking vitamin D across 513 women with breast cancer found that how levels changed over the course of treatment was a stronger predictor of outcomes than any single reading alone. Here's what you need to know.
GrassrootsHealth to Honor Vitamin D Research Pioneers Sep 30, 2026
Encinitas, CA—On November 2, 2026, GrassrootsHealth will host the inaugural Baggerly-Garland Vitamin D Scientist Awards at the Goldberg Auditorium at Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health. Taking place on World Vitamin D Day, the ceremony will recognize scientists whose research has helped advance understanding of vitamin D, UVB exposure, and cancer prevention. Sponsored by Solius Labs, the special press event will honor Dr. William B. Grant, Dr. Joan Lappe, and Dr. Edward D. Gorham, as well as the legacies of Carole Baggerly, founder of GrassrootsHealth, and Dr. Frank C. Garland, whose vision, persistence, and commitment helped transform the scientific conversation surrounding vitamin D and cancer prevention. The event will begin at 11 a.m. Pacific Time, with attendance available both in person and virtually.
Groundbreaking new study reports benefits for sunshine and sunbed exposure in northern climates
NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Distribution
TORONTO, Ont (August 20, 2024) – A large, cohort study from the UK has reported that people who have higher exposure to UV through sunlight or sunbeds have a lower risk of all-cause, cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality. The study adds to the growing evidence that the health benefits of UV exposure may outweigh the risks in low-sunlight environments.
The Vitamin D Society has been educating people on the benefits of non-burning UV exposure – the body’s primary source of vitamin D - for 15 years. This is the first time that sunbed users have been included in a large study of health benefits and mortality.
Its Time for a New Look at Sun Benefits! World Vitamin D Day - November 2nd
NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Distribution
TORONTO, Ont (October 26, 2023) – Health authorities worldwide now acknowledge that sun-care advisories in the future should not be one-size-fits-all and that darker-skinned people in sun-deprived climates like Canada may not be getting enough sun and vitamin D.
That’s an encouraging sign as The Vitamin D Society and Vitamin D authorities worldwide recognize November 2nd as the 15th annual World Vitamin D Day. In Canada, as much as 93 percent of the population is vitamin D deficient mainly due to lack of sun exposure.
Vitamin D helps you live longer! World Vitamin D Day - November 2nd
NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Distribution
TORONTO, Ont (October 25, 2022) – Your personal health and that of your family are the most important things in life. Optimal vitamin D levels play a significant role in helping prevent a wide number of diseases and strengthening your immune system to assist with new threats. Vitamin D and sun exposure have been found to reduce mortality and help you live a longer life.
Since 2009, we have celebrated World Vitamin D Day on November 2nd to highlight the health benefits of vitamin D and the importance of having optimal vitamin D levels of between 100-150 nmol/L (Canada) or 40-60 ng/ml (USA). November is the month that Canadians vitamin D levels rapidly decline due to reduced sun exposure. Over 93% of Canadians do not meet this vitamin D level.
By Perry Holman, Executive Director, Vitamin D Society
We recently lost an icon in the field of vitamin D. Carole Baggerly, the Founder and Director of GrassrootsHealth, passed away on October 26th at the age of 82. She played the key role in helping organize the vitamin D scientists and researchers, and determining a universal consistent vitamin D message for the public. The lives she touched and the lives she saved through her disease prevention work were enormous. Her inspiration and positive approach to life will be greatly missed.
Please read more on Carole’s extraordinary vitamin D discovery journey here and her passing.
UV→D NOW - Why a supplement does not replace sunlight! Mar 03, 2022
By Perry Holman, Executive Director, Vitamin D Society
Key Points:
No supplement will replace all the benefits of sunlight when considering the full spectrum of light
UVB exposure on your skin from sunlight makes Vitamin D naturally without ever going to toxic levels
Most people know about the benefits of vitamin D for bone health. Vitamin D also has benefits for the immune system, cardiovascular health, autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, and multiple sclerosis, skin, and has been linked to lower incidence of many forms of cancer
UVA exposure releases nitric oxide stores in your skin, helping reduce your blood pressure and improving cardiovascular health
Visible light is beneficial for skin, sleep, happiness and relaxation
Infrared light is a powerful antioxidant beneficial for intercellular melatonin used by the mitochondria to repair cell damage
When sunlight is unavailable or not strong enough, turn to surrogates such as sunbeds, phototherapy units or light boxes
Overexposure to sunlight has risks too. The key is to know your skin and take care not to burn. Moderation!
UV→D NOW Let the Sunshine back into your life! Nov 18, 2021
By Perry Holman, Executive Director, Vitamin D Society
How did we get to this point in our relationship with the sun? If you follow the current health recommendations from some dermatologists you would live in perpetual darkness, in a bunker, and never let the sunshine hit your unprotected skin. Sunscreen use is advised to be applied to your skin everyday of the year regardless of the whether you are indoors or not. Regardless of your skin type. This action has unforeseen consequences that I hope to shine a light on for you.
For November, Vitamin D Awareness Month, we are focusing on educating people to the many benefits of sun and UV exposure. This is why we have named it UV→D NOW. Because getting UV exposure is important for vitamin D, nitric oxide and so many other photoproducts for your health. The lack of sun exposure is the main root cause of vitamin D deficiency, and studies have found that people with low vitamin D are at a higher risk of many serious diseases such as cardiovascular disease, major cancers such as breast and colorectal, autoimmune diseases such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis and even infections, flus, colds and much more.
Drs David C Anderson and David S Grimes
Vitamin D Deficiency and COVID-19
“For weeks and weeks people from ethnic minority communities have been wanting to know how they can better protect themselves from coronavirus.” [BBC News June 13th 2020] We believe that during Covid-19, ethnic minority communities in the UK, the USA and elsewhere, and all others vulnerable to seasonal Vitamin D deficiency, have been seriously let down by politicians and medical-scientific officialdom. As a result they have been needlessly deprived of extensive biological knowledge that would have protected them against disease and death from a novel virus, for which adequate levels of Vitamin D are essential.
Susan Rex Ryan
Defend Your Life
Defend Your Life has three main sections. The first addresses the fundamentals of vitamin D3 and its awesome benefits as well as minimal risk. The second highlights select diseases and conditions about which vitamin D3 may offer protection. The third includes the author's personal vitamin D3 story, including her theory about adequate vitamin D3 levels and how you can 'Defend Your Life'.
Reading this book will help you understand how adequate amounts of vitamin D3 are essential to enhancing your quality of life.
Ian Wishart
Vitamin D: Is This the Miracle Vitamin?
In this compelling new book,award-winning investigative journalist and bestselling author Ian Wishart brings together the most up to date science on vitamin D and how it could well save your life. Cancer? Up to a 77% reduction in risk of developing it if you take this vitamin. Heart disease? The same kind of reduction. Did you know that autism, mental illness and multiple sclerosis all appear to be caused by a lack of vitamin D during pregnancy?
The lives of every single person, including you, will be affected by the information in this book. With more than 300 scientific trials and studies cited, this book is a reference guide not just for the general reader but for medical professionals alike.
Professor, University of Toronto, Departments of Nutritional Sciences and Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology.
Dr. Michael Holick, Ph.D., M.D.
Professor of Medicine, Physiology and Biophysics; Director of the General Clinical Research Unit; and Director of the Bone Health Care Clinic and the Director of the Heliotherapy, Light, and Skin Research Center at Boston University Medical Center.
Dr. Cedric Garland, DrPH
Professor Emeritus in the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of California, San Diego.
Defend Your Life has three main sections. The first addresses the fundamentals of vitamin D3 and its awesome benefits as well as minimal risk. The second highlights select diseases and conditions about which vitamin D3 may offer protection. The third includes the author's personal vitamin D3 story, including her theory about adequate vitamin D3 levels and how you can 'Defend Your Life'.
In this compelling new book,award-winning investigative journalist and bestselling author Ian Wishart brings together the most up to date science on vitamin D and how it could well save your life. Cancer? Up to a 77% reduction in risk of developing it if you take this vitamin. Heart disease? The same kind of reduction. Did you know that autism, mental illness and multiple sclerosis all appear to be caused by a lack of vitamin D during pregnancy?
