5 Foods Rich In Vitamin D To Boost Daily Intake; Is Real Food Better Than Supplements Or Sunlight?
The digital age has led us to adopt sedentary behaviors that lead to less time outdoors, and more time indoors. As a result, we get very little sunlight and become less active, which jeopardizes our health. High levels of sedentary behavior mean low levels of the "sunshine vitamin," or vitamin D, which directly affects our bone health and our immune system.
Typically, food is the best way to get vitamins, but for vitamin D, there are only a few rich foods that can provide an adequate supply.
Read More: Why You Need Vitamin D, And 3 Ways To Get Strong Bones
In the video, "5 Foods to Eat for Vitamin D," Health Magazine lists the top five foods that can boost our vitamin D daily intake if consumed regularly. Currently, the recommendation for vitamin D is 600 international units (IU) per day for people up to age 70, and 800 IU per day for those over age 70. Without food as a source, 10 to 15 minutes of sunlight on our face, arms, back, or legs without sunscreen on a daily basis, can lead our body to generate the body's vitamin D supply for a week, but this source is not always feasible. Also, this level of sun exposure can lead to skin cancer.
Therefore, we should strive to get the most vitamin D in our diet by consuming several fortifying foods.
The top 5 foods to eat for vitamin D include:
1. Milk
An 8-ounce glass of milk contains 100 IU.
2. Canned Tuna Fish
Four ounces of canned tuna equals to 150 IU.
3. Fatty Fish
An 3-ounce sockeye salmon has a total of 450 IU.
4. Eggs
One egg yolk holds 40 IU.
5. Mushrooms Grown In UV Light
An 5-ounce serving of portabello mushrooms grown in UV light possess 400 IU.
Unfortunately, our diet may not suffice when it comes to meeting our vitamin D daily intake. Therefore, for those who don't get out in the sun, or remain unsure whether they're getting 600 to 800 IU, it's best to take a supplement containing 400 to 1,000 IU, according to the Harvard Health Publications. Vitamin D comes in two forms: D3 and D2; a doctor can determine what's best on a case-by-case basis.
When it comes to vitamin D, sunlight, food, and supplements can all help meet our daily intake, depending on our health and lifestyle.
See Also:
How To Get Enough Vitamin D In The Summer Months, But Still Protect Yourself From Sun Damage