Tip 12: Get Enough Vitamin D

Vitamin D has often fallen in the shadow of some of the more popular vitamins like C, the Bs, and E, but research in the past few years has magnified the importance of Vitamin D.  Some studies have suggested that low vitamin D levels may increase the risk for heart disease, cancer, depression, and osteoporosis.  Most recently, research shows a correlation between consistently low Vitamin D levels in women and breast cancer. Also, low Vitamin D levels may be connected with low energy levels.  We make most of the vitamin D in our bodies in our skin, but we need at least 20 minutes of direct sunlight each day to maintain adequate levels.  Most Americans living in the upper half of the country during the winter months do not get nearly enough Vitamin D, and those folks in the rainy Pacific Northwest have some of the lowest Vitamin D levels in the country.  To combat this problem, find ways to get Vitamin D each day.  If you live in a gray or rainy climate, get your Vitamin D levels checked. Take a daily supplement of at least 1000 IU of vitamin D3 each day, drink milk, and get a little sunshine on your body when you can (with appropriate sunscreen, of course).