Did you know that almost 42% of U.S. adults have a vitamin D deficiency? Our modern way of life limits our sun exposure due to developments such as cars, television, computers, video games, and other technological devices. All of which promote indoor activities over outdoor pursuits.
Vitamin D is crucial for bone health and immunity to help prevent chronic conditions such as bone loss, depression, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and multiple sclerosis. In other words, it’s a vitamin you want to have enough of. But where and how do you get it? The first step to determine your vitamin D levels is to get tested by your primary care physician (PCP); this will help establish your current vitamin D levels and determine proper supplementation if needed.
If you’re vitamin D deficient, consider the following tips to increase your levels:
- Spend more time outdoors: Sunlight is a natural source of vitamin D. If you work in an office or spend a lot of time indoors, it could be beneficial to go outside more often. Just be sure to apply sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays.
- Eat vitamin-D-rich foods: Another great way to get more vitamin D is through your diet. Foods high in vitamin D include yogurt, fatty fish, egg yolks, fortified milk and juices, and beef liver.
- Take dietary supplements: You can buy oral vitamin D supplements over the counter at most pharmacies and drug stores. Be sure to consult with your PCP before taking a vitamin D supplement to understand your options and ensure you are not taking too much vitamin D.
Source:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15050-vitamin-d-vitamin-d-deficiency
