GETTING MORE VITAMIN D3

In addition to the general rule of getting more sun, there are some other ways you can get more vitamin D3 on a daily basis. While it’s not a common nutrient in foods (in fact, most plant-based sources don’t have a trace of it), you can find it in:

• Fortified milk, bread, and cereal (look on the food label)
• Eggs, in particular yolks
• Cheese, in particular cheddar
• Yogurt
• Fatty fish like sardines or salmon

Supplemental vitamins can also help. The recommended intake is 1,000 IU a day, and it’s important that you always receive clearance from your doctor first. Although vitamin D3 is an over-the-counter option, it is a hormone and should be administered only with professional guidance. A simple blood test can determine if you are in fact deficient and need higher-than-normal concentrations on a daily basis.