Why is vitamin D important?

Vitamin D is the focus of much research right now. It works with calcium to strengthen your bones but it may also help to prevent osteoarthritis, reduce your risk of certain cancers and fight inflammation. Evidence seems to suggest that you should get 1000 IU per day if you are under 60 and 1200 IU if you are over 60. Food, sunlight and supplements are the three ways to get Vitamin D. Food sources include salmon, tuna and fortified milk or orange juice. Ten to twenty minutes in the sun daily can boost your body’s production of Vitamin D. If you use a supplement, make sure it is for Vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol.