June 5, 2020

Following through with routine medical care is still important, even in the wake of COVID-19. If you’re dealing with chronic health issues or just not feeling your best, it may be worth talking to your doctor about a blood test for Vitamin D deficiency. There are many conditions which seem negatively affected by low levels of Vitamin D. Check out the Spotlight on Nutrition page for more information about health concerns which could be related to these levels.

To build up your levels, you can take the following actions: – Spend short periods of time in the sun (without sunscreen as it blocks absorption of UV rays needed to make Vitamin D in the skin)
– Eat foods that are a natural source of Vitamin D *Fatty fish like salmon, tuna and sardines *Egg yolks *Cheese *Beef liver
– Eat foods which are fortified with Vitamin D *Dairy products *Orange juice *Soy milk *Cereals
– Follow a doctor’s orders for taking Vitamin D supplements (prescribed or over-the-counter) Vitamin D is fat-soluble, so it needs fat to be absorbed by the body. This is a vitamin which the body stores, so toxic levels can be of concern. That is why it’s so important to work with your doctor to determine if your levels are too low and how to improve them safely. But, having adequate Vitamin D levels may be beneficial for a variety of physical and mental health issues.