SHOULD YOU TAKE VITAMIN D?

While there are very few foods that contain vitamin D and many of us don't get a lot from the sun, you should check with your doctor before taking vitamin D supplements according to Patsy Brannon, R.D., Ph.D., professor of nutritional science at Cornell University and a member of the panel of the Institute of Medicine. It is important for some of us to take it but too heavy of doses can cause high blood calcium and excessive calcium in the urine. Both of those situations put you at risk for damaging your kidneys and bones.

Did you know that fortified foods such as breads, cereals, and orange juice actually have more vitamin D and calcium than does milk? Other good sources for vitamin D are fatty fish such as salmon and tuna.

There are those of us who need to take vitamin D. Just check with your doctor before deciding on your own to take it.