What is Vitamin D critical for?

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in bone growth and maintenance. It facilitates the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the intestines, which are vital minerals for forming and maintaining strong bones. A deficiency in vitamin D can lead to weakened bones and conditions such as rickets in children and osteomalacia or osteoporosis in adults. This highlights the significance of vitamin D not just for growth in developing individuals, but also for maintaining bone density and overall skeletal health throughout a person's life. Understanding this process is key in the field of anthropology, particularly when examining the nutritional and health practices of different cultures.