sufficient vitamin D levels, according to the study.
The research only found an association rather than a cause-and-effect link between vitamin D and breast cancer.
RELATED: Vitamin D Deficiency Could Raise Colon Cancer Risk in Black Women
Easy ways to get more vitamin D
1. Change your diet
Changing your diet is one of the best ways to combat a vitamin D deficiency.
Foods that provide vitamin D include:
- Fatty fish, like tuna, mackerel, and salmon
- Foods fortified with vitamin D, like some dairy products, orange juice, soy milk, and cereals
- Beef liver
- Cheese
- Egg yolks
2. Spend some time in the sun
Getting natural sunlight is the old-fashioned way to get vitamin D. Our skin hosts a type of cholesterol that makes vitamin D in the presence of sunlight. Exactly how much vitamin D your body produces depends on your skin tone, the exposed part of the body, age, etc. Aim for 10-30 minutes of sunlight several times per week. If you have darker skin, you may need a bit more sunlight. Just be sure that you protect your skin and use sunscreen.
3. Cod liver oil
Just one tablespoon of cod liver oil contains 1360 international units of vitamin D. Try taking it with warm water or in capsule form to enhance your vitamin D levels.
4. Supplements
Taking supplements may be the best way to ensure that you are getting an adequate amount of vitamin D, especially if your numbers are extremely low.
5. Ultraviolet UV lamp
UV radiation has widely been used as a therapeutic for various skin conditions. However, recently it has been suggested to be great at raising vitamin D levels as well. UV lights can mimic the sun and be helpful if you have limited sun exposure. Be careful when using UV lamps. Too much exposure can burn your skin. It is recommended that you limit exposure to no more than 15 minutes at a time.
6. Exercise
Regular physical activity such as walking, jogging or cycling can increase your vitamin D levels. For an added bonus, try doing them in the sun whenever possible.