Winter is in full force and many of you are lacking major sun exposure (I know, we are spoiled here in So Cal with plenty of sunshine year round!).  Vitamin D deficiency is due to insufficient sun exposure and difficulty obtaining the "sunshine vitamin" from food sources.  Even foods fortified with vitamin D seem to provide less of this vitamin than we need.   D deficiency is linked to high blood pressure, obesity, loss of bone density and Type 2 diabetes.

Try to get a little sun exposure when you can, still using your usual SPF of course.  But also focus on foods that deliver Vitamin D in your diet:  whole eggs, salmon, tuna fish, milk and cheese.  Before you supplement with it, have your Vitamin D levels checked with a blood test.  Althought lack of D is common, you also don't want to have too much which can be toxic to the body.  Most experts recommend between 800 - 1,000 iu's per day.