Nutrition Bites - Vitamin D

Nutrient Profile: Vitamin D

Anyone else missing the sunshine here in northeast Ohio? Did you know that sunshine helps your body make Vitamin D?

Many people know about the role of vitamin D in bone health, but did you know that vitamin D functions in some ways like a hormone? In some studies, low vitamin D status is associated with depression. Vitamin D also functions in the skeletal muscle, plays a role in inflammation and your immune system.

It's a pretty important nutrient! While vitamin D supplementation without deficiency is not shown to improve athletic performance, supplementation with deficiency can often be helpful for general health.  Until that sun comes on back, try to incorporate vitamin D-rich foods like fatty fish, egg yolks, mushrooms and fortified milk and talk to your doctor to learn more.