Vitamin D is essential for strong bones, because it helps the body use calcium from the diet.
Traditionally, this vitamin deficiency has been associated with rickets which is a disease that causes the bone tissue to improperly mineralize which leads to soft bones and skeletal deformities. But increasingly, research is revealing the importance of vitamin D in protecting against a host of other more common health problems.
4 Common Health Problems
- Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
- Hypertension
- Glucose intolerance
- Multiple sclerosis
Are you at risk for vitamin D deficiency? This can occur if you don’t consume the recommended levels of the vitamin over time.
Common Risk Groups:
- those who shun the sun
- suffer from milk allergies
- adhere to a strict vegan diet
The most accurate way to measure how much vitamin D is in your body is a blood test and if you are found to be deficient, there are a few ways to treat it.
3 Ways to Get More Vitamin D
- Sunshine - best used as a preventative (rather than a treatment) and always be aware of sun safety tips
- Diet – keeping in mind the below listed foods
- Supplement – consult your doctor for a recommended brand
It is referred to as the Sunshine Vitamin since the body produces it in response to our skin being exposed to sunlight. Used best as a preventative measure, it's a great idea soak up that beautiful sunshine which makes our bodies produce the vitamin naturally! Head over to our blog about sun safety to learn more!
For those of us who are sensitive to the sun, luckily it occurs naturally in a few foods too!
Foods Rich in Vitamin D
- some fish
- fish liver oils
- egg yolks
- fortified dairy
- fortified grain products
For those of us who follow a diet exclusive of the above list and therefore must rely on a supplement - be sure you've consulted a doctor on the right brand and strength for your specific deficiency.
