Myth: You can only get vitamins from nutrients in food.

Fact: There are exceptions to every rule and vitamin D is one of them.  Although some of the vitamin D we need comes from our food, one of the best ways to get vitamin D is from sunshine.

Why is the “sunshine vitamin” so important? Check out this infographic to find out!

Vitamin D is necessary for healthy bone development and growth in children, and for life-long bone health in adults. It also plays an important role in many of the functions of the body.  In addition, vitamin D supports our immunity, or our ability to keep from getting sick.

So… are you getting enough Vitamin D? Follow these tips to improve your intake:

• 

  Spend enough time in the sun

  15 minutes of mid-day sunshine to the face and hands every day is enough for most people to get enough vitamin D.
  However, if your skin is dark in color, increase that amount to 30 minutes per day. While it is important to wear sunscreen when you will be out in the sun for more than a few minutes, sunscreen will reduce the amount of vitamin D produced.

• 

  Eat foods rich in Vitamin D

  Some foods naturally contain vitamin D, such as tuna, salmon, ham, eggs, and mushrooms. Other foods are fortified with vitamin D, including milk, cheese and yogurt, milk substitutes such as soy or almond milk, fortified orange juice, and some cereals.

• 

  Check with your doctor

  If you are concerned that you are not getting enough vitamin D, your doctor can perform a simple blood test to find out. If your blood levels are too low, you may need to take a vitamin D3 supplement.

Now…

Go Outside!