Today is Tip #2 in the series from Today nutritionist Joy Bauer.

Tip #2: Get enough Vitamin D

Many experts consider the United States to be in the middle of an epidemic of vitamin D deficiency. In previous generations, vitamin D deficiency wasn’t a problem because people took in large amounts of sunlight and our skin makes all the vitamin D we need when exposed to the sun. But nowadays, most of us responsibly use sunscreen regularly to protect our skin from wrinkles and ultraviolet radiation (that can potentially cause skin cancer). Unfortunately, sunscreen also keeps our skin from using sunlight to produce vitamin D.

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to cancer of the colon, breast, ovaries, and prostate. Scientists believe that vitamin D can help block the development of blood vessels that feed growing tumors, and help stop the proliferation of cancerous and precancerous cells. I recommend eating plenty of vitamin rich foods including fatty fish (like salmon and sardines) and vitamin D fortified skim milk, non-fat yogurt and reduced fat cheese. Because few foods provide vitamin D, you should consider a daily multivitamin that provides 100% DV of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol, the most potent form). If you think you’re a candidate for even more, speak with your personal physician.

Ready for Tip #3? Coming soon!!