Easy Ways to Increase Vitamin D and Lose Weight

Vitamin D has been linked to obesity. Use these easy ways to increase vitamin D absorption and lose weight. A link between vitamin D and obesity has been discovered. It turns out that as many as 50 percent of adults are vitamin D deficient. People are not producing enough vitamin D naturally by getting direct sunlight. According to The National Institute of Health, “higher baseline vitamin D levels predicted greater loss of abdominal fat.”

The Purpose of Vitamin D Vitamin D is produced in the body when the skin absorbs natural sunlight. Vitamin D works to keep hormones balanced. It also protects the immune system to keep you healthy. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, strengthens bones, promotes healthy brain functioning, reduces the risk of arthritis, reduces the risk of cancer and helps control weight.

Obesity and Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency is an often overlooked health issue, but obesity and vitamin D deficiency are closely linked. Vitamin D deficiency is also linked to insulin resistance, heart disease, fatigue, diabetes, osteoporosis, stroke, cancer and depression, according to the Vitamin D Council.
Increasing vitamin D is easier than you may think. Taking these easy steps can help you control your weight and prevent future illnesses.
Easy Ways to Increase Vitamin D and Lose Weight

• Soak up the sun. Getting more sun is the most direct and natural way to increase vitamin D levels. However, busy lifestyles and dark winter months make being out in the sun a little more difficult.
• Follow a diet high in vitamin D. There are a limited number of foods that are naturally high in vitamin D, such as eggs, fish and cod liver oil. The other option is to include foods that are vitamin D fortified. Milk, cereals and other products contain added vitamin D, which makes it a little easier to include it in your daily diet.

• Take a vitamin D supplement. Since it's difficult to get the recommended dosage of vitamin D through diet alone and it's hard to measure exactly how much you are taking in through food, it's a good idea to take a vitamin D supplement. It is recommended that adults take between 200 and 600 IUs per day, depending on your age. You can take that dosage along with a quality multivitamin.

Additionally, Pub Med recently published the results of a study that found vitamin D levels were higher in those who consumed vitamin D supplements with a large meal. The vitamin D absorption rate went up 50% compared to those who took it with smaller meals.
Following these easy ways to increase vitamin D can help you manage your weight and prevent illnesses associated with obesity. Contact your doctor to have your vitamin D levels checked if you have concerns about being vitamin D deficient.
Sources


Pub Med. “Taking Vitamin D with the largest meal improves absorption and results in higher serum levels of 25 Hydroxyvitamin D,” Licata Mulligan. Apr, 2010.
Mayo Clinic. “Vitamin D,” June 2010.
Vitamin D Council. “Vitamin D Deficiency Syndrome,” John Jacob Cannell. Jan 2010.