Vitamin D is essential for human health. It improves bone health and skin appearance, supports the immune system, and just plain helps us feel better. It’s even thought that a lack of Vitamin D can lead to depression and other mental health concerns.
The sun is one of the greatest sources of Vitamin D, but how can people maintain Vitamin D levels in the winter when the sky is full of clouds and snow, and many people are bundled up in winter coats and scarves, leaving little skin exposed to absorb the sun’s rays?
To compensate, consuming certain foods and supplements to get ample amounts of Vitamin D is important.
- Go with seafood. One of the best aquatic sources of Vitamin D is salmon. It’s believed that just 4 ounces of wild salmon can provide the body with 265% of humans’ recommended daily intake of Vitamin D. In addition, herring, sardines, tuna, and mackerel can provide plentiful amounts of Vitamin D.
- Got milk? Fortified milk, including cow and soy, are excellent sources of Vitamin D. Fortified dairy-free soy milk is particularly helpful for vegetarians and vegans.
- Natural Solutions. Between 30 and 50 million Americans are lactose intolerant, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. For these individuals, fortified orange juice and mushrooms are spectacular sources of Vitamin D. One cup of fortified OJ can contain nearly a quarter of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin D.
Mushrooms absorb the sun’s rays to create Vitamin D much the same way humans do. For this reason, avoid purchasing commercially grown mushrooms, as often times these mushrooms may be grown in the dark and lack nutritious levels of Vitamin D. Instead, purchase mushrooms grown in open farms or indoors with UV lights. While the Vitamin D mushrooms create is different than what humans naturally synthesize, mushrooms still contain healthy properties and can be consumed for a Vitamin D boost.
Adding these foods to your diet in the winter months can help your body get the Vitamin D required. But come summertime, be sure to head back outdoors for at least 15 minutes each day to absorb the hot summer sun!
Among Vitamin D, there are other key nutrients such as polyphenols, prebiotics, and probiotics that are important to keep in our bodies. Consider KaraMD’s full range of doctor-formulated supplements to obtain the vitamins and nutrients your body needs! Check them all out by clicking here!
References & Disclaimers
✝✝This noted statement is based on independent research and is not necessarily the opinion of the author