The reality is that most of us just aren’t getting enough Vitamin D. With jobs, school, commitments and sunscreen, the most natural way of getting Vitamin D just isn’t happening. That is why it is important to make sure that you take the steps to ensure that you and your family are getting enough of this crucial nutrient.
Why We Need D
Low levels of Vitamin D have been linked to multiple serious health problems, such as depression, heart disease, osteoporosis and even cancer! Your doctor can check your Vitamin D levels with a simple blood test.
Why Aren’t We Getting Enough D
Eating right and taking a supplement can help with Vitamin D levels but the reality is that despite these steps, most people, especially women still aren’t getting enough Vitamin D. The best way to get that D is through the natural process that our bodies do, converting sunlight into Vitamin D.
Most of us tend to stay indoors all day, where long sleeved shirts and long pants and use sunscreen religiously, so our bodies don’t have the opportunity to make the Vitamin D that we need.
How to Get More Vitamin D
Getting more Vitamin D isn’t hard. Just spending 10 to 15 minutes per day outside with your arms and legs exposed will do the trick to maintain the right levels. You might be able to get that much just walking around the block or back and forth to your car.
There are other ways to get Vitamin D, of course. You could take a supplement. Most women need between 1,000 and 1,200 IU a day, although if you have gotten tested, your doctor could prescribe the proper amount for you based on your current levels. Most multivitamins give you less than half of that amount.
There aren’t too many foods that have enough Vitamin D in them. To get this nutrient from food, you’ll have to eat a lot of fortified milk, cheese and other dairy products. Salmon, tuna and mackerel have some D in them as well.