Vitamin D Deficiency Could Raise Colon Cancer Risk in Black Women

soy, almond, and hemp milk
orange juice
ready-to-eat cereals
certain types of yogurt
tofu

6. Dairy foods

Swiss cheese, cow milk, curds and cottage cheese are also good Vitamin D sources.

7. 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.

8. 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.

Vitamin D exists in two forms:

D2 (ergocalciferol): Comes from plants
D3 (cholecalciferol): Comes from animals

Research suggests that D3 may be more effective in raising and maintaining vitamin D levels.

When purchasing vitamin D supplements, be sure to purchase high-quality supplements that have been independently tested.

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9. 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.

10. 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.

Having an adequate amount of vitamin D is essential to how we function on a daily. The following are symptoms of low vitamin D that you should watch out for:

Nausea
Increased thirst and urination
Poor appetite
Constipation
Weakness
Confusion
Ataxia (a neurological condition that may cause slurring and stumbling of words)

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor. They can run blood tests to confirm that you have low vitamin D and help you determine your next steps.