Vitamin D has received a considerable amount of attention in recent years thanks to studies suggesting it may support a wide range of health factors. However, experts say that individuals should not forget about the primary benefit of consuming the nutrient.

Dietitian Annette Snyder told the Mason City Globe and Gazette that vitamin D plays a critical role in supporting bone health. Without it, the body is unable to process calcium, an important nutrient for supporting strong bones.

"Without it, we could eat all the calcium in the world and we wouldn’t absorb it," Snyder told the news source.

She recommended that people may want to consider vitamin D supplements, particularly those living in northern latitudes, as the sun's rays tend to be weaker and last for shorter periods here. Sun exposure is considered one of the primary sources of vitamin D.

The National Institutes of Health report that people who must stay indoors due to health conditions, those who work inside during the day and people living in areas that get little sun are at the highest risk of vitamin D deficiency and the bone health risks that accompany the condition.