Vitamin D

There is lots of new information coming out about vitamin D deficiency. It’s an important topic to bring up right now because it is winter time! Most of the vitamin D is not ingested by food, but created by the body through the sunlight; and in winter when there is less sunlight and the sun’s rays are less intense, and more clothing is worn because of the cold, it is difficult for most of us to get the vitamin D we need.
Vitamin D’s role in bone health cannot be overstated! Vitamin D helps bones absorb calcium, without it rickets, among children, and osteoporosis, among adults would be more widespread.
There is an abundance of research that suggests a surprising number of Americans do not currently get recommended amounts.
Unfortunately, there are very few food sources of vitamin D. The best food sources are fatty fish such as salmon; smaller amounts are in organ meats, egg yolks and mushrooms. Some other foods are D-fortified including all milk and some juices.
During winter time especially, it may be advantageous to take a vitamin D supplement. Taking 800 IU, or international units, of Vitamin D daily during the winter months will keep most healthy individuals from experiencing a vitamin D deficiency.