8 Ways to Get Your Daily Vitamin D without Sun Exposure

As we enter into longer, darker days we’re asking ourselves how can we get more Vitamin D naturally through our diet? Vitamin D is a very important element to our body’s health, and is most commonly produced in our bodies through our skin’s exposure to sunlight. As our founder here at SummerSkin is a survivor of melanoma, we are vigilant about the importance of protecting your skin from the damaging effects of the sun. With SPF15 sunscreen blocking 93% of UVB rays, the type our bodies use to make D, we look to get this very important vitamin through diet choices.

Why is Vitamin D so important? This essential vitamin has, “long [been] associated with bone health, it also helps to regulate the immune system, lower blood pressure, protect against depression, and reduce risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and several kinds of cancer. A 2014 study from the University of California-San Diego School of Medicine also found that people with low vitamin D levels were twice as likely to die prematurely.” Aviva Patz

The Institute of Medicine has set the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamin D at 600 international units (IU) for everyone under the age of 70. But recent studies show that even those who don’t follow a regimental sun protection routine do not get enough Vitamin D in their diets. Here are some Vitamin D rich foods to help ensure that you’re getting enough of this essential ingredient to your health.