Vitamin D is a nutrient our bodies simply cannot live without. In addition to playing a crucial role in bone health, it is also vital for regulating the immune system, balancing hormones, and reducing the risk of diseases like type 2 diabetes and various cancers.
Yet, alarming amounts of people aren’t getting enough vitamin D. In the United States alone, over 40 percent of the population is deficient. So how can you up your intake? Well, sun exposure is the best method, but it also helps to consume a variety of vitamin D-rich foods—including these 12.
1. Salmon
A popular fatty fish, salmon is among the best natural sources of vitamin D. Although it helps to note that the wild-caught variety is especially rich, with one study finding that a 3.5-ounce serving contains 988 IU of the nutrient—a whopping 247 percent of your daily value!
The same study discovered that farmed salmon, on the other hand, “contained only 25% of that amount,” says Healthline.com, which equates to about 250 IU of vitamin D (63 percent of your daily intake requirements).
