5 Ways to Boost Vitamin D During the Winter

Talking about the importance of vitamin D is one thing.

Getting ENOUGH of it is another.

The colder weather and shorter days can create a significant drop in D levels during the winter months.

Of course, the sun is the best source of vitamin D. But there are other ways to get this vital vitamin.

I like to head down to Mexico for a while to get my fill of D during the wintertime. Plenty of other seniors take up residence in places like sunny Florida.

But moving closer to the equator in the winter months isn’t in the cards for everyone. So let’s look at the other alternatives to ensure you’re getting your “sunny D,” even if it doesn’t come from the sun.

If you live in a higher latitude, chances are you need more vitamin D during the winter.

It’s estimated that about 35 percent of adults in the United States are deficient in vitamin D.

But I believe that actual number is much higher than that. After all, the science supports maintaining higher baseline levels than mainstream medicine recommends.

Today I’m not focusing on why you need vitamin D (for more on D benefits, click here.). Instead, I will share with you HOW to get more of the vitamin during the winter months.

1. Eat more oily fish like salmon, mackerel, and rainbow trout. A palm-sized serving of salmon will give you 265 percent of your RDA of vitamin D. Even canned tuna or sardines can get the job done.
2. Eat more mushrooms. If you’re looking for a plant-based source of vitamin D, the ONLY place you’ll find it is in mushrooms. Ideally, choose ones exposed to UV light (like those grown in the wild) because they produce lots of vitamin D. Just one cup of delicious mushrooms daily will give you what you need.
3. Take cod liver oil. If you want a daily dose of D without having to worry about what you’re eating for dinner, cod liver oil is a good option. Just 1 tablespoon provides 1,300 IUs of vitamin D.
4. Get a UVB vitamin D lamp. “Sun lamps” bring the outdoors in during the darker winter months. UVB lamps are especially beneficial for people suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression triggered by insufficient sunlight.
5. Take a supplement. If you’re not able to boost your vitamin D levels using the first four methods, consider taking a supplement.

Regardless of what method you choose to get your D boosting your levels is critical. Maintaining healthy D levels can help prevent osteoporosis, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and more.

P.S. A recent study found that eating one of THESE a day provides enough vitamin D for optimal levels.

SOURCE:

Norsworthy, M. (2022, November 11.) “How to Get Enough Vitamin D This Winter.” Study Breaks. https://studybreaks.com/thoughts/vitamin-d-importance/