It is crucial for our bodies to maintain an adequate level of vitamin D year-round, especially during the winter months.
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium from the foods we eat. Calcium is essential for maintaining bone strength, supporting our immune system, promoting heart health, preventing strokes, reducing the risk of depression, and may even aid in the aging process.
A great source of natural vitamin D comes from ultraviolet B rays found in sunlight. The more daylight we are exposed to, the more vitamin D our skin can produce. However, during winter, it becomes challenging to get enough vitamin D. We tend to spend more time indoors, and even when we are outside, we often wear heavier clothing that blocks the sun from reaching our skin.
The best time to be outdoors for vitamin D exposure is around midday when the sun is at its strongest. In the summer months, 10 to 15 minutes of sunlight per day is usually sufficient.
However, during winter, you may need to spend 30 minutes or more outside to get an adequate amount of sunlight and your daily dose of vitamin D.
Here are additional sources of vitamin D that can be beneficial throughout the year, especially in winter:
– Eating beef liver, pork, egg yolks, and cheese
– Eating mushrooms
– Consuming the skin of fatty fish such as tuna, mackerel, and salmon
– Drinking milk that is fortified with vitamin D
– Taking a vitamin D3 supplement
If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center to discuss your health this winter, please call 718-670-5486.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.