Getting vitamin D from food
For many people, getting enough vitamin D from sunlight is easier said than done—especially in the depths of winter. It can be tough to get the sunlight you need when days are short and you’re bundled up in a heavy coat whenever you leave home. Fortunately, sunlight isn’t the only source of vitamin D. You can get vitamin D through food, including cheese, mushrooms, egg yolks, beef liver, and fatty fish like salmon.
Getting vitamin D from supplements
Supplements are the main treatment for vitamin D deficiency. Many older adults, in particular, benefit from supplements because they have difficulty absorbing vitamin D. Other groups that can especially benefit from vitamin D supplements include people with darker skin, those who don’t live in sunny environments, and those with certain medical conditions like obesity or liver disease.