Which vitamin is essential for maintaining good bone health, particularly in preventing rickets?

Vitamin D is crucial for maintaining good bone health and plays a vital role in preventing rickets, a disease that causes softening and weakening of bones in children. This vitamin helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus from the diet, which are essential minerals for forming and maintaining strong bones. Without adequate vitamin D, the body cannot effectively absorb these minerals, leading to the development of rickets.

Foods such as fatty fish, fortified dairy products, and exposure to sunlight are common sources of vitamin D. Additionally, this vitamin helps regulate calcium levels in the blood and is involved in bone remodeling, making it essential for both developing and maintaining a healthy skeletal system throughout life.