How America's Vitamin D Sources Have Changed Over 60 Years

Vitamin D plays a key role in over 200 bodily functions, from bone strength to brain health. Yet how people get enough of it has shifted over the decades. In the 1960s and 1970s, supplements were rare, and sun exposure provided most of the body's needs—though not without risks. Back then, sunscreen was hardly used, meaning more natural vitamin D production from sunlight. Today, concerns over skin cancer have cut down on unprotected sun time, reducing this source. Instead, fortified foods like milk, cereals, and orange juice now help fill the gap, alongside supplements.

Vitamin D3, found in fatty fish, egg yolks, and beef liver, is preferred over D2 because it raises blood levels more effectively. But even with these options, a 2022 study found 41% of Americans still fall short. The only sure way to check levels is through a 25-hydroxy vitamin D test. Data from 2011–2016 shows most people in the U.S. have sufficient vitamin D, though 18% are at risk of inadequacy and 5% are deficient. While direct comparisons to the 1960s don't exist, supplement use has climbed—28% of people took them in 2015–2016, especially older adults. Fortified foods and supplements now balance out reduced sun exposure and low dietary intake.

The way people maintain vitamin D levels has changed, moving from sun reliance to supplements and fortified foods. Despite these shifts, deficiencies remain common, highlighting the need for testing and targeted intake. Public health efforts continue to focus on safe, sustainable sources to meet the body's demands.