Have you considered taking a Vitamin D supplement? Why is Vitamin D getting so much attention?

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient required for multiple health functions. Vitamin D is responsible for calcium absoption and the production of certain “feel good” hormones, as well as is considered part of a healthy defense against some kinds of cancer and hypertension. If you are lacking Vitamin D, you may be at higher risk of developing brittle bones, cardiovascular issues, rickets, and diabetes.

It’s very possible that you are Vitamin D deficient. If you religiously wear sunscreen and avoid the sun, you might be deficient.

But how much is too much, and what are the recommended amounts of Vitamin D? The answer is somewhere between 200 IU (International Units) and 2000 IU, depending on who you talk to. You don’t want to take more than 2000 IU a day because Vitamin D can be toxic at doses higher than 2000 IU. The most popular answer right now is to take about 1000 IU a day.

What are the best ways to get Vitamin D? You get Vitamin D (naturally) every time you are exposed to sunshine. Just ten minutes of direct sunlight each day can get you your baseline (200 IU) of Vitamin D each day. Several doctors are suggesting that you try to get twenty minutes of sunlight a day, and then slather on your SPF30 after that. The majority of doctors say this is too risky (since sun exposure increases risk for skin cancer); they advise you to get your Vitamin D some other way.

One easy way is to take a pill (supplement), but you’ll want to watch the amount. Many multivitamins are now delivering higher doses of Vitamin D, so check to see what your daily vitamin provides. Drink fortified beverages such as OJ and milk. Natural sources of Vitamin D are eggs, fish, and cod liver oil.

Check with your doctor during your next check up, asking if you should be concerned about your intake of Vitamin D.