Are You Getting Enough Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is somewhat of an oddball in the vitamin family. Thanks to the countless milk commercials many of us have grown up with, we’ve long known that it’s great for overall bone health and can help prevent osteoporosis. However, Vitamin D can also help reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and autoimmune diseases. What makes D such an oddball is that unlike many other necessary vitamins, it’s a little hard to come by naturally. Most foods don’t have it, and while it’s produced in our bodies with the help of the sun, you can’t always count on a sunny day. That’s why an estimated 40 to 75 percent of people are vitamin D deficient. The question is what to do about it. 

The first and most obvious way is to get outside more. Yes, all that summer activity is not only fun, it’s a great way to get in some quality Vitamin D. Just be careful not to overdo it. Use proper care and make sure to protect your skin. 

You can also eat more fish. Fatty fish such as tuna, mackerel, shrimp and oysters are great sources of Vitamin D, so yes, tuna steaks on the barbeque on the beach (or even your backyard) is a perfect way to put some ‘D’ into your summer. 

If you’re a vegetarian, you’re still in luck. While there aren’t any vegetables that are a natural source of Vitamin D, your garden variety mushroom is. Some, such as wild maitake mushrooms, are better than others. 

The bottom line is that Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that many people around the world don’t get enough of. You can get it eating foods rich in vitamin D like fatty fish and mushrooms or you can get out and enjoy some fun in the sun. Either way, make Vitamin D a part of your summer.