Also known as the Sunshine Vitamin, Vitamin D is essential to a person’s overall health. It is a fat-soluble vitamin that regulates cellular growth and supports the body’s neuromuscular functions, including calcium absorption. Commonly received through natural sunlight, Vitamin D levels can decrease substantially during the colder months, leading to severe health conditions. Keep reading for the best ways to get Vitamin D in winter.
Eat Foods High in Vitamin D
When you’re not receiving as much Vitamin D in the winter, one of the best ways to supplement it is by eating Vitamin D-rich foods. These foods include:
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Other oily and fatty fish
- Egg yolks
- Milk
- Orange juice
- Mushrooms
Take a Vitamin D Supplement
Another way to get enough Vitamin D is to take a supplement. According to the Baylor College of Medicine, a typical adult needs 800 international units of Vitamin D a day, However, the supplement you chose needs to have more units because your body is not going to absorb 100% of that supplement. Doctors recommend ones with 5000 units to give your body exactly what it needs. Also, look for the U.S.P. Verified Mark on the bottle, indicating the product contains all the ingredients listed on the bottle and does not contain harmful elements.
Spend Time Outdoors
While shorter daylight hours and colder temperatures make it more challenging to spend time outside, it is crucial for your health. Just 15 – 20 minutes a day makes a world of difference. You can walk, run errands, or ride a bike (if the wind isn’t strong.) This little bit of exposure to the sun boosts your Vitamin D levels.
Jordan is a writer and photographer based in the DFW area. She graduated from Texas Woman’s University with a Bachelor ‘s degree in English and a Minor in Marketing. She is a history nerd and animal lover, with one dog and three cats at home. In her free time, she enjoys reading, arts & crafts, working on her first novel, and traveling to places near and far.