The ‘sunshine vitamin’ is hard to come by in the winter. As such, according to a 2009 report from the Scientific American, up to three-quarters of U.S. teens and adults are deficient in vitamin D.
Why does this matter, and what can you do about it? Read on to find out.
The importance of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is vitally important for several reasons, including:
-Promotes proper use of calcium for strong bones
-Neuromuscular and immunity function
-Reduction of inflammation
-Sleep regulation
Because of the modern lifestyle, many people around the world struggle to get the required daily amount of vitamin D. The sedentary, office-prone workplace leaves many people staring at screens for hours at a time with little to no sun exposure. However, even if you don’t get enough vitamin D, it’s still extremely important to supply to your body.
How to Get It
Unfortunately, very few naturally-occurring foods contain Vitamin D. Aside from sun exposure (which in and of itself is difficult during the shorter day seasons), we need to supplement our diet with vitamin D by consuming food or taking tablets. Vitamin D can be hard to come by naturally in a diet, but lucky for you and I many foods are fortified with it.
Foods high in vitamin D include:
-Salmon
-Tuna
-Shrimp
-Fortified Milk
-Egg yolk
-Oatmeal
If you consume these foods and still find you’re not meeting your daily requirement, it may be time to take a look at supplements. Taking vitamin D in tablet form is quick and easy, and provides a more than adequate amount. Conflicting studies show some can take very large doses of vitamin D and experience no negative side effects while others could. Always consult with your primary care physician before making any significant change to your diet or nutrition to ensure proper body functioning.