FUELED Wellness + Nutrition | The 411 on Vitamin D: Surprising benefits + how much we really need – WGNO New Orleans

An estimated 40% of Americans are vitamin D deficient not good, since vitamin D is essential for bone health, healthy blood pressure and managing inflammation and a deficiency in D is linked to mood disorders, diabetes and cancer. And since the sun is one of our key sources of D, the shorter, darker winter days make it even more of a challenge to get our daily dose of D.

If youre not getting enough sunlight or youre at high risk, take a look at how much vitamin D youre getting through food and supplements. But be aware that its not easy to get 800-1000 IU through food:

Top food sources of Vitamin D

How to know if youre getting enough? The only way to know for sure is to check your blood levels of vitamin D; ask your healthcare provider to test your serum 25(OH)D concentrations.

For more on vitamin D, check out Mollys article, Vitamin D: Do you need to supplement.

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Molly Kimball, RD, CSSD is a registered dietitian + nutrition journalist in New Orleans, and founder of Ochsner Eat Fit nonprofit restaurant initiative.Tune in to her podcast, FUELED | Wellness + Nutrition and follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @MollyKimballRD. See more of Mollys articles + TV segments at http://www.mollykimball.com, and sign up for Eat Fit Wellness Bites weekly newsletter, here.

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FUELED Wellness + Nutrition | The 411 on Vitamin D: Surprising benefits + how much we really need - WGNO New Orleans