Nutrition Experts Name 5 Vitamin D Foods as 50% of Adults Fall Deficient
Updated
Updated · health.yahoo.com · Aug 12
Nutrition Experts Name 5 Vitamin D Foods as 50% of Adults Fall Deficient
3 articles · Updated · health.yahoo.com · Aug 12
Summary
About 50% of healthy adults are deficient in vitamin D, prompting dietitians to highlight five foods that can help raise intake: mushrooms, fatty fish, fortified dairy milk, egg yolks and beef liver.
600 IU a day is the recommended intake for adults 19 to 70, rising to 800 IU after 70, while many people miss the mark because sunlight exposure is limited and natural food sources are scarce.
Mushrooms and fatty fish stand out among the options: UV-exposed mushrooms can provide less than 50 IU to more than 1,000 IU per cup, while 3 ounces of cooked Atlantic salmon offers 447 IU.
Fortified milk typically adds about 100 IU per 8-ounce serving, egg yolks provide roughly 20 IU each, and beef liver contributes only about 3.4 IU per 3 ounces, making it a minor source.
Experts said food choices matter because vitamin D supports calcium absorption, bone strength, immune function and mood, especially for people who cannot rely on year-round sun exposure.