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Vitamin D, the Sun Shine Vitamin
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By Mara L. Trojanski, Registered Dietitian
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Our bodies can get vitamin D from food, but we can also make our own after being exposed to the sun. Ultra violet rays from the sun trigger vitamin D to be produced in our skin. As little as 10-15 minutes of sunlight can help the body produce sufficient amounts of Vitamin D. It is still important to use sunscreen whenever sun exposure will be longer than 15 minutes.
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What are we to do when we live in Western New York and it’s wintertime? We may not see the sun again until June!
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There are many food sources of vitamin D and one of the best sources is milk. One cup of milk supplies about one –fourth of the estimated needs for adults. All milk is fortified, so if you drink non-fat, 1% , 2%, or whole milk the vitamin D content is the same. Only the fat has been changed. Other food sources of vitamin D are: Salmon, eggs, fortified breads and cereals, cod liver oil, and sardines.
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The major function of Vitamin D is maintaining normal levels of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and keep bones strong.
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This website is partially funded through the VitaGrant project, from the Indirect Vitamins Purchasers Antitrust Litigation Settlement administered by the New York State Attorney General.
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