Why Is Vitamin D Important? Vitamin D is considered to be a building block for our bone health, as it helps our bodies absorb calcium, which helps to build strong bones. When we don’t have enough vitamin D, we run the risk of causing our bones to become brittle and being diagnosed with osteoporosis. But osteoporosis and brittle bones are not the only result of low vitamin D levels.
Effects of Vitamin D Deficiency
- Thinning or brittle bones
- Osteoporosis
- Frequent bone fractures
- Muscle weakness
- Changes in mood
How Much Vitamin D Should I Be Getting?
If you ask multiple experts this question, you will likely get multiple answers. There’s not a true consensus on how much vitamin D is needed. Experts agree, though, that we need it in order to function optimally. We primarily get vitamin D through exposure to the sun. But because we need to protect our skin from the sun’s harmful rays with sunscreen, people today get less vitamin D in that way. Fortunately, you can make tweaks to your diet to increase your intake.Ways to Get Vitamin D
- Include egg yolks in your diet.
- Eat fortified foods.
- Take a supplement, as advised by a doctor.
- Try a UV lamp.
- Consume fatty fish and seafood.
- Eat more mushrooms.