Health experts say it's important to get your daily dose of vitamin D.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says vitamin D may help prevent osteoporosis.

The European Food Safety Authority says the vitamin's role in the human body includes normal function of the immune system, inflammatory response and muscle function and could help reduce the risk of falling for people older than 60.

Studies also have shown some evidence of preventing cancer.

Evans City pharmacist Jeffrey Mustovic said the optimal range people should be in for vitamin D level count is 60 to 80 nanograms per milliliter in a pill.

Vitamin D deficiency is said to be linked to increased bone fractures in athletes and increased risk of viral infections.

Perhaps the most commonly known source of vitamin D is the sun.

However, sitting outside to soak up the rays in the winter may not be the most appealing method to get vitamin D.

Anytime Tan owner Candace Bouvy said indoor tanning provides people with a convenient way to get vitamin D.

Bouvy said people come in to the tanning salon to receive light from therapy lamps to help with seasonal affective disorder.

“The underlying symptom of that from what we have been told is vitamin D deficiency,” Bouvy said. “There have been clients in the past who come in with a prescription and the insurance is actually paying for part of their tanning cost for the purpose of the vitamin D.”

Bouvy said the benefit of tanning over taking a pill is that the body absorbs it faster.

“They've seen great results,” Bouvy said.

The amount of time people seeking vitamin D should stay in a tanning bed depends on their skin type, Bouvy said.

Bouvy said safe tanning advice also is given to customers to reduce the risk of melanoma.

On average, she said customers start to feel the effect from vitamin D in about three to five sessions.

“Moderation is key,” she said. “They don't need to be here every single day to get the effects.”

Another way to keep up vitamin D levels are through supplements found at pharmacies.

“I recommend taking vitamin D all year long, not just during the winter season,” said Mustovic.

He said studies “strongly” support the vitamin's ability to modulate the immune system and have a positive impact on preventing cancer.

“It's a big thing to say, but this is exactly why physicians are routinely monitoring vitamin D 25-hydroxy levels for many patients,” he said.

Vitamin D-3 is said to have the “greatest” impact on the immune system.

“They should take vitamin D every day and monitor their levels every three to four months,” Mustovic said.

While Mustovic said the sun is the biggest natural source of vitamin D, he said it also “poses a double whammy” because of sunscreen usage that prevents adequate absorption into the body.

He also said Pennsylvania's geographic location is a disadvantage because of the limited amount of time for sunshine.

Some foods also contain vitamin D, but in limited quantities. They include fatty fish like salmon, tuna and sardines, portobello and shiitake mushrooms, alfalfa, lichen, cooked egg yolk and beef liver.