The best sources are the flesh of fatty fish and fish liver oils. Smaller amounts are found in egg yolks, cheese, and beef liver. Certain mushrooms contain some vitamin D2; in addition some commercially sold mushrooms contain higher amounts of D2 due to intentionally being exposed to high amounts of ultraviolet light.
The best food sources of vitamin D are oily fish, including salmon, mackerel, and sardines. Other sources include egg yolks, red meat, and liver. Vitamin D is added to some foods too, including breakfast cereals, plant milks and fat spreads. Check information on-pack to see if this applies to the products you buy.
Oranges may be the closest you'll get to a fruit containing vitamin D.
Research has found that an average serving of 2 eggs contains 8.2mcg of vitamin D, a substantial portion of the recommended dietary intake of vitamin D [2], making them a great addition to the diet to support the intake of adequate levels of this vital vitamin.
Many fruits and vegetables contain a special type of vitamin D known as ergocalciferol, or vitamin D2. The highest value of vitamin D2 is found in the trendy, yet incredibly tasty avocado.
There is no vitamin D in broccoli. But one cup contains as much vitamin C as an orange. Plus, broccoli has calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, zinc, vitamins A, B, E and K. It's no wonder some consider it the superstar of vegetables.
Yogurt, plant-based milks (like soy, almond, or oat milk), cereal, and orange juice are also commonly fortified. For example, Cheerios have 60 IU of vitamin D in each 1.5-cup serving. Adding more of these foods that are naturally rich in vitamin D or fortified with it can help increase your vitamin D intake.
Choosing the Best Vitamin D Supplement for Your Health
If you choose to go the supplement route, Clifford recommends taking around 400 to 800 IU of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) per day. “Vitamin D3 is the form that is already stored in the body, so some studies have found it to be more effective,” Clifford says.
The humble and yummy bananas are a great source of magnesium, which plays an important role in activating vitamin D in the body.
Therefore, conditions that affect the gut and digestion, like celiac disease, chronic pancreatitis, Crohn's disease, and cystic fibrosis, can reduce vitamin D absorption.
Some popular cereals such as Quaker's Oats, Kellogg's Special K and Multi Grain Cheerios are fortified with vitamin D. Enjoy a bowl of cereal with fortified soya milk and a glass of orange juice to get half of your recommended allowance of vitamin D all before lunch time.
It can take anywhere from 1-6 months to raise vitamin D levels with supplements.
Vitamin D deficiency is most commonly caused by a lack of exposure to sunlight. Some disorders can also cause the deficiency. The most common cause is lack of exposure to sunlight, usually when the diet is deficient in vitamin D, but certain disorders can also cause the deficiency.
They have extremely high nutritional value. Blueberries have vitamin D, calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc. If you're looking for a health boost when you're on the go, a handful is the perfect snack.
Because few foods naturally contain vitamin D, many foods are fortified with it. Vitamin D can also be obtained from sun exposure. Although carrots have no vitamin D, they contain other important nutrients that can benefit your health.
While potatoes do not have vitamin D, they are packed with several other nutrients. Potatoes are loaded with potassium, an electrolyte you need to balance fluid levels; iron, a mineral that aids in oxygen transport to each and every cell; and B vitamins, which work together to keep your metabolism going.
Do Eggs Have Vitamin D? A serving of two eggs contains 8.2µg of vitamin D which is 82% of the recommended dietary intake. Eggs are one of the highest food sources of vitamin D.
"Adequate levels of magnesium in the body are essential for the absorption and metabolism not only of vitamin D but of calcium as well," Dean states. "Magnesium converts vitamin D into its active form so that it can help calcium absorption.
The main consequence of vitamin D toxicity is a buildup of calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia), which can cause nausea and vomiting, weakness, and frequent urination. Vitamin D toxicity might progress to bone pain and kidney problems, such as the formation of calcium stones.