Vitamin D is a critical fat-soluble vitamin that’s needed for our body to maintain serum calcium, which supports cellular processes, neuromuscular function, and bone ossification.
This vitamin also plays a major role in immune response and is critical in the prevention of osteoporosis, cancer, depression, diabetes, and obesity.
Yet, over 40 percent of the U.S. population is vitamin D deficient. The good news? There are plenty of natural and delicious ways to get our vitamin D in.
One of the easiest ways to get our daily dose of this vitamin is to go outside! Sunlight allows the body to synthesize vitamin D naturally. All you need is 5 to 15 minutes, 2-3 times a week without sunscreen or too much clothing to boost your levels. Get your sun in the morning or late afternoon while it’s not too strong to help avoid skin damage. If sun exposure exceeds 10 to 15 minutes, always remember to use sunscreen.
Since vitamin D is not naturally present in a wide variety of foods, it’s important to know what to eat to get this nutrient into your diet. The best sources include animal liver, fatty fish, egg yolk, and fish oils — but you can also get vitamin D through fortified foods (although it’s always best to go with a natural source.)
Check out the article I wrote for Healthline HERE to get the inside scoop on my top 8 foods rich in vitamin D to start adding into your regimen today!
