Vitamin D vital for strong bones, good health

Vitamin D is often referred to as the “sunshine vitamin” because the body can produce vitamin D when sunlight hits the skin. During the dark winter months, many Alaskans get most of their vitamin D from exposure to sunlight (if You can’t get enough of it, so you should consider getting your vitamin D from food or supplements. Vitamin D is important for strong bones and can contribute to overall health. is always the best option,” says Diane Peck, a registered dietitian dietician in the Alaska Section of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. and other benefits. However, for many people in Alaska, taking vitamin D supplements along with a healthy diet may be appropriate. ”
Fortunately, some of the highest vitamin D-rich foods can be found in Alaska.The traditional diet protected Alaska Natives from the long, dark winters. Raw, canned, and smoked salmon are excellent sources of vitamin D. Marine mammals, fish oil, and seal oil contain large amounts of vitamin D. Oysters, shrimp, halibut, flounder and rockfish are also excellent sources. Other foods that contain vitamin D are tuna, cod liver oil, egg yolks, and some mushrooms.Vitamin D is also added to many foods. Look for the words “vitamin D fortified” on packages of milk, soy milk, yogurt, orange juice, oatmeal, and instant cereals. See United States for a list of foods and their vitamin D content. dietary guidelines. The amount of vitamin D you need varies throughout your life. For more information on the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for Vitamin D, visit:
//ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-Consumer/.In addition to living in a place with less sunlight, other factors can affect vitamin D levels.
Darker-skinned people do not produce vitamin D as quickly as lighter-skinned people.Older people may not produce as much vitamin D as younger people. Breastfeeding is the best choice for infant health, but breast milk may be deficient in vitamin D. Talk to your healthcare provider if you think you’re not getting enough vitamin D. It’s important to note that taking too much vitamin D can cause side effects or interact with other medications you take.