The problem? Reaching and sustaining sufficient vitamin D status is much easier said than done. In fact, 29% of U.S. adults3 are deficient in vitamin D.
You see, foods with vitamin D don’t have large enough amounts to make a dent in vitamin D levels—especially in individuals that are already deficient. “What about sunshine?” you may ask. Unfortunately, sunlight isn’t a reliable source of vitamin D production for most people either, as it’s influenced by a number of factors (e.g., age, biological sex, latitude, climate, time of year, skin tone, sunscreen use, and how much skin is exposed to sun).
The optimal manner to effectively reach and sustain healthy vitamin D status (which leading wellness experts agree is a blood serum measurement of 50 ng/ml or higher) is through daily vitamin D supplementation.
That said, not any vitamin D supplement will do—many deliver sub-efficacious doses, feature inferior forms, or fail to prioritize bioavailability. (To see the products mindbodygreen trusts to sustain optimal D levels, check out our guide to the best vitamin D supplements.)
