Most associate Vitamin D with the sun. This is due to the fact that our bodies actually produces vitamin D through sun exposure. In fact, it's one of the most effective ways for the body to get the vitamin D it needs.
However, since increased sun exposure is a known risk for skin cancer, many people don't get enough natural sunlight to produce the amount of vitamin D that they need to maintain optimal health. While using sunscreen and wearing protective clothing to reduce the risk of skin cancer is a good thing, it also reduces your ability to produce vitamin D from the sun.
The good news is there are two other ways to ensure your body is getting enough vitamin D: eating foods that contain it (and play a role in its production and absorption) and by supplementation.
We're going to get a technical here: "vitamin D" is a little misleading. Vitamin D isn't a vitamin in the scientific sense. It's a nutrient that's considered a "pro-hormone" and must undergo a couple steps of chemical conversions to be active within the body. The difference between vitamin D and other vitamins is that the body produces vitamin D and can't produce what we'll call "true vitamins."
Vitamin D is fat-soluble, meaning that it's absorbed along with fats and oils. Other fat-soluble vitamins include K, A, D, and E.
Vitamin D plays many roles in maintaining a healthy body. It's necessary for bone health, proper immune system function, and also impacts energy levels.
Adults who increase their vitamin D intake to a healthy level, often notice that they have more energy and maintain a more positive mood.
Dietary supplements are the most widely recommended way to make sure that you take in a healthy amount of vitamin D daily. There are foods which have vitamin D or are fortified with Vitamin D, as well.
Some things you might consider adding to your diet include:
• Fatty seafood such as cod, salmon, tuna, and sardines
• Eggs
• Foods fortified with vitamin such as milk, orange juice, yogurt, and some cereals
Vitamin D is a necessary nutrient for ongoing health and wellness. If you're a part of the Flex Fam, you're getting Vitamin D and working to support your bone health daily--great job!
Your physician can check your vitamin D levels through a simple blood test and can make recommendations on supplements and diet based on your individual health and body type.