A method of supplementing vitamin D in a living organism by using an artificial lighting system. The lighting system includes a plurality of lighting devices that emit light at a predetermined wavelength and intensity known to cause the synthesis of vitamin D by the living organism. A controller is provided that controls both the intensity and wavelength of light so that the system can be used for different living organisms. The plurality of lighting devices also pulse, or continuously provide periods of light followed immediately by periods of no light where the periods of light and no light depend on the energy needed for the living organism to synthesize vitamin D and the time needed for the synthesis to occur before additional energy is accepted by the living organism in a manner that synthesizes additional vitamin D.
