The sun was created by God to sustain the cycle of life on earth. Our general well-being is much dependent on regular exposure of the body to sunlight.  The body's homonal balance and metabolism depend tremendously on the body's exposure to sunlight.  Lack of sunlight results in the inadequate mineralization of the bones and skeleton if the diet is not supplimented with Vitamin D.  Exposure of the skin to sunlight causes Vitamin D to be synthesized in the skin.  The amount of Vitamin D synthesized by exposure to sunlight or ultravioltet light depends on the area of skin exposed and the time of exposure. Due to many factors that affect the magnitude of ultraviolet light-dependent synthesis of Vitamin D it should be considered an essential dietary nutrient. There are several dietary sources of Vitamin D including eggs, butter, fortified cereals, and infant formulas fortified with Vitamin D, however, the most beneficial and recommended source of Vitamin D is regular exposure to sunlight. Some considersations: skin with high melanin content requires longer exposure to ultraviolet light to achieve the same degree of synthesis compared to lighter skin; capacity of skin to synthesize Vitamin D in the elderly is approximately half that of younger people; snythesis of Vitamin D decreases with kidney failure.