Vitamin D is most commonly known as the “sunshine vitamin.” This essential nutrient is necessary for healthy bones and muscles, heart health, and is linked to improved immune function.

Spending just 10 minutes outside on a sunny day helps the body create vitamin D however, in Illinois the sun is not strong enough for about half of the year to produce vitamin D from sun exposure. So, what can you do?

There are a few foods that contain vitamin D, like fatty fish and eggs, and there are foods that are fortified with vitamin D such as, milk, orange juice and some cereals. However, these sources only provide minimal amounts of vitamin D and it’s much easier to close this nutrient gap with supplementation.

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