Step into the light!

Sunbathers rejoice! A recent study helps support the notion that vitamin D is essential for good health… so why should sun seekers celebrate? Because the main source of vitamin D is – you guessed it—the sun!

According to a newly published study in the June 23 issue of the journal Archives of Internal Medicine, people with higher levels of the sunshine vitamin are less likely to die from a variety of ailments, including cardiovascular and coronary artery disease.

This is definitely something to take note of because cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer among Canadians.

The study took place over roughly seven years and followed 3,258 patients from a single medical centre.

In addition to these results, the study team, headed by Dr. Harald Dobnig of the Medical University of Graz in Austria, also found that low levels of vitamin D had significant negative effects on a person’s health. Most notably in terms of the incidence of cancer, stroke, sudden cardiac death and fatal heart failure.

Moreover, the study also found that people with higher vitamin D levels were generally more fit and healthier.

So how do you get the vitamin D your body needs? Aside from foods like fatty fish and eggs, roughly 80 to 90 per cent of vitamin D in the blood is derived from exposure to sunlight.

The general consensus is that roughly 15 minutes of sun exposure each day will allow your body to make enough vitamin D to support good health.

If you’re stuck in the office all day and simply can’t make it outside, consider trying these recipes to add some vitamin D to your diet. After all, nobody said good health can’t also taste delicious!

Broiled Salmon with Avocado-Mango Salsa

Summer Salmon and Asparagus

Steamed Fish with Ginger and Sesame

Egg White Omelette with Spinach

Frittata Florentine