What to Do if Your Vitamin D Level is Low

Do you have low Vitamin D levels? Are you concerned about the impact on your short and long-term health? Are you looking for a way to take immediate action?

While this may not be the most serious ailment you can face, it has the potential to take a toll on your health. For example, if you don’t get enough Vitamin D, your bones may weaken. This is especially true as you age.

What Should You Do?

In addition to consulting with your doctor, you can also purchase an at-home test kit to check your Vitamin D levels. This will give you a clear idea of your current situation and what you’re up against moving forward. On the plus side, there’s no shortage of things you can do to boost your Vitamin D levels. Here are some of the best ways to do so:

1. Get More Sun

Believe it or not, this is the best way to boost your Vitamin D levels. While this may be difficult for some during the cold winter months, it’s a great option when the temperatures outdoors heat up.

Of course, take special caution when spending an extended period of time outdoors. You don’t want to get too much sun—without the appropriate protection—as it increases the risk of serious diseases, such as skin cancer.

When it’s too cold to get sun outdoors, try a UV lamp that you use inside. According to Healthline, this is the next best thing:

When your skin is exposed to UV-B radiation from the sun, it’s able to produce its own vitamin D. UV lamps mimic the action of the sun and can be especially helpful if your sun exposure is limited due to geography or time indoors.

You can purchase one of these online or at a local retail store. 

2. Take a Supplement

Even if you spend a good amount of time in the sun, it’s still possible that your Vitamin D levels could lag behind normal. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to skin issues such as acne, too, although there are advanced treatments for this now–you can get a Tretinoin prescription online. But that’s why you should strongly consider adding a supplement to your daily routine. 

Speak to your doctor about this, as they can inform you as to how much you need to take every day to make a difference.

With a Vitamin D supplement, there’s no question as to whether or not you’re getting what you need. It all comes down to remembering to take it every day.

3. Eat Seafood and Fatty Fish

If you’re the type of person who enjoys seafood, you shouldn’t have any problem with this. Seafood is among the richest natural food sources of Vitamin D. Even if you don’t eat it every day, it can have a positive impact on your levels. Here are some of the many types of fish that are rich in Vitamin D:

• Salmon
• Shrimp
• Tuna
• Oysters
• Sardines
• Mackerel

In addition to the Vitamin D you get, these foods can be quite tasty. Talk about the best of both worlds!

4. Search for Vitamin D Fortified Foods

Most natural foods don’t contain a high level—if any—Vitamin D. For that reason, it can be a challenge to add it to your diet. Fortunately, many foods are fortified with vitamin D, allowing you to get what you need.

You shouldn’t rely solely on these foods and drinks to get enough vitamin D, but it never hurts to add them to your diet. Here are some ideas:

• Milk
• Orange juice (not in a cocktail, though)
• Yogurt
• Soy milk
• Almond milk
• Cereal

If you’re searching for fortified foods, pay close attention to the ingredient list before making a purchase. This will give you a clear idea of if it has Vitamin D, and if so, how much.

Final Thoughts

These are just a few of the many things you can do if your vitamin D level is low. You never want to hear that you’re lacking in this area, but it’s a problem that you can most likely take care of in short order.

Once your vitamin D level returns to normal, you’ll begin to feel better. And on top of that, you’ll have greater peace of mind in knowing that you’re taking care of your body and positioning yourself for a healthy future.