Did you know that 42% of Americans are vitamin D deficient? Vitamin D plays a critical role in the immune system, and you should be getting about 600 IU of it daily. Vitamin D is essential for building and maintaining strong bones.
Knowing how to get more vitamin D can help you feel and look your best. It’s easy to be misinformed when it comes to nutrition. That’s why this guide is here to help.
Keep reading to learn how to get enough vitamin D.
1. Spend Some Time Outdoors
Vitamin D is referred to as the sunshine vitamin for a reason! Your skin hosts a type of cholesterol that functions as a precursor to vitamin D. When you go outside, this compound is exposed to the UV-B radiation from the sun and becomes vitamin D.
You don’t need a lot of time either. 10-15 minutes in the sun every other day is more than enough. Maybe add more time if you have darker skin.
Just be sure to wear sunscreen! You don’t want to increase your risk of skin cancer.
2. Consume Mushrooms
One of the best food sources of vitamin D is mushrooms. They make their own vitamin D when exposed to the sun.
The amount of vitamin D you’re consuming depends on the type of mushroom, but certain types, like the wild maitake mushroom, provide almost 300% of the recommended daily amount.
3. Take a Supplement
For some people, taking a supplement is the best way to get enough vitamin D. There may not be enough sunshine in the area you live in, or you can’t consume the types of food that contain vitamin D.
Taking a supplement makes it easy to prevent yourself from having a vitamin D deficiency. You’ll want to ensure that the supplements you choose are tested for purity and quality by a third party.
The Vitamin D tablets from vitabiotics are a great option for anyone who is looking to get their daily dose of this important nutrient.
4. Use a UV Lamp
Although costly, UV lamps emit UV-B radiation to boost your vitamin D levels. They work by mimicking the action of the sun. These are particularly helpful if you have limited sun exposure in your area.
Be careful not to use these lamps too often because they could burn your skin. 15-minute sessions are all you need.
How to Get More Vitamin D
The importance of vitamin D shouldn’t be overlooked. If you’ve been excessively fatigued and getting sick often, or if you’re noticing more bone pain than usual, it’s time to increase the amount of vitamin D you’re getting. It’s a good idea to get a blood test and talk to your doctor about any other vitamin deficiencies you might have.
Knowing how to get more vitamin D will have you feeling better in no time.
Looking for more articles like this? Be sure to check out the health section of our blog!
