Аннотация:It is well-known that vitamin D status impacts on the mineralization of the skeleton, boneturnover rate, and the occurrence of fractures. Numerous studies have shown a directrelationship between a low serum level of vitamin D and a low bone mineral density (BMD)and an increased risk of non-vertebral and hip fractures. Importantly, vitamin D status isessential for the generation of maximal bone mass and along with other risk factors can largelycontribute the development of osteoporosis and other bone metabolic diseases, such asosteomalacia and rickets in children. Among bone metabolic disorders, osteoporosis is the mostcommon chronic skeletal disease with high morbidity and mortality rates and its healthcarecosts impose a significant economic burden. The effective prevention of vitamin D deficiencyand osteoporosis can be achieved with the timely identification of individuals with an increasedrisk and appropriate dietary intervention. In this review, the rationale for identifying those atrisk for vitamin D deficiency and subsequent osteoporosis was presented on the basis ofevolutionary medicine principles. Moreover, we have highlighted the possibility of usingselected plants as natural sources of vitamin D for reducing the incidence of vitamin Ddeficiency. Several other plant-derived compounds, such as phytoestrogens, flavonoids, and polyphenols, which exhibited protective effects on bone metabolism, were also explored fortheir potential use for nutritional prevention of osteoporosis.