Top 10 Natural Sources of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is different from other vitamins because our bodies can make most of what we need with enough exposure to sunlight. Australia is renowned for its sunny weather and outdoorsy, beach-loving lifestyle, yet research says that 23% – or 1 in 4 – of Australians are deficient in vitamin D. So, why is this? And why is vitamin D important for our health?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble hormone that helps your body absorb the calcium required to maintain bone and muscle health. It also supports the immune and digestive system – without it, viruses, bacteria and parasites can take hold and we may become susceptible to allergies and autoimmune disorders.
Unfortunately, many of us don’t get the amount of vitamin D our body needs. Here are some of the possible reasons why:
Common Risk Factors for Vitamin D Deficiency:
- Too much time indoors
- Always using sunscreen or covering up when outdoors
- Being elderly
- Having dark skin
- Not eating seafood or other vitamin D rich food
- Smoking, alcohol and drug use
How Do You Know If You’re Deficient in Vitamin D?
Most people don’t realise that they are deficient, because the symptoms are usually subtle, even if they are having a significant negative effect on your quality of life. However, if you tick a few of the symptoms below, it might be a good idea to have your GP perform a blood test for you to identify whether you have a vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D Deficiency signs include:
- Excessive sweating
- Unexpected muscle weakness
- Chronic pain or greater pain sensitivity
- Low moods or extreme irritability
- High blood pressure
- Sleepiness
- Fatigue and low endurance
- Getting sick often (low immune system)
- Bone and back pain
- Impaired wound healing
- Hair loss
- Poor sleep
- Migraines and headaches
How Much Vitamin D Do We Need to Prevent These Symptoms?
The recommended daily intake is usually around 400-800 IU (international unit), but many experts say you should get even more than that. Correcting a vitamin D deficiency doesn’t have to be hard. You can begin by increasing your sun exposure and incorporating more of the following vitamin D rich foods.
Top 10 Vitamin D Rich Foods:
Fatty seafood such as –
Sardines
100g = 175 IU (44% DV (daily value))
Salmon
100g = 511 IU (128% DV)
Mackerel
100g = 400 IU (100% DV)
Tuna
100g = 93 IU (23% DV)
Oysters
100g = 320 IU (80% DV)
Cod liver oil
1 tsp = 440 IU (100% DV)
Cow’s milk
120g = 98 IU (16% DV)
Eggs
1 large = 41 IU (10% DV)
Mushrooms
Mushrooms when exposed to ultraviolet light have the capacity to produce vitamin D
1 cup = up to 150 – 2300 IU (for some UV-treated varieties)
Liver
100g = 20-30 IU (5-6% DV)
Vitamin D, Sleep and Sunshine
There’s no more abundant source of vitamin D than the sun. It promotes synthesis of the vitamin from cholesterol in the skin. A sensible amount of sun will help give your body the boost it needs to maintain good health. We recommend getting 15-20 minutes daily.
Research has indicated that vitamin D levels also influence both sleep quality and sleep quantity. Unfortunately, some research has suggested that sleep disorders have reached epidemic proportions because so many people are deficient. Read the blog from Changing Habits ‘Low Vitamin D May Not Be About Day Light, But Rather About Darkness’ for more information.
Getting adequate sunshine daily and eating enough of these vitamin D rich foods is a great way to top up your levels of this important nutrient, naturally.
At The Nutrition Academy you will learn so much more about essential vitamins in our Introduction to Nutrition and Functional Nutrition courses.
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