Best Vitamin D Sources: Food, Sunshine, Supplements, and More!
Vitamin D is so important for your health, but it's hard to get enough of it through food alone! Most Americans are chronically deficient in Vitamin D due to indoor lifestyles.
Vitamin D is a pretty important nutrient to have in your system. It helps your body absorb and use the calcium that you need to keep strong bones and teeth. Plus, it's also been linked to a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
Some benefits of Vitamin D include (but are not limited to):
🔅Stronger bones & muscles,
🔅Robust Immune system
🔅Inflammation Reduction
🔅Strengthens Dental Health
🔅Prevents Diabetes
🔅Lowers Blood Pressure
🔅Weight Loss
🔅Battles Depression
🔅Reduces the Risk of Cancer
There are several ways to increase your daily dose of Vitamin D! Start with at least 20 minutes in the sun, several days a week. Let your bare shoulders soak up the sun! This is especially important if you live in a place where you don't see much sunshine for most of the year (like me!).
There are a few food sources that provide levels of vitamin D as well, like fatty fish (tuna, mackerel, sardines & salmon) and mushrooms. Some processed foods have been fortified with vitamin D, and while they are not my favorite to recommend they include cereals, yogurts, orange juice, and milk.
While I strongly recommend getting outside and soaking up some rays, if you need to take a supplement make sure you are pairing it with a large meal that contains healthy fat to assist in its absorption.