Nearly 70 percent of adults and children in the United States are deficient in vitamin D. Long known for its contribution to strong bones, recent research suggests that Vitamin D may play critical roles in cancer prevention, heart and blood vessel health, and pregnancy.
In most cases, Vitamin D deficiency stems from to lack of sun exposure and not getting enough of the vitamin in the diet. Sun exposure is the primary way that the body manufactures Vitamin D – but it also increases your risk of skin cancers. You can increase your Vitamin D level by making small changes in your diet.
Good food sources of vitamin D include:
- Vitamin-D fortified milk or orange juice
- Vitamin-D fortified cereal
- Oily fish such as tuna, salmon, swordfish, and mackerel
- Egg yolks
- Beef liver
- Vitamin-D fortified yogurt